By Jerome Lagunzad
Zark’s Burgers star CJ Perez added another individual silverware to his trophy case when he was adjudged as the unanimous choice for the tournament MVP honors in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
But the shifty 6-foot-2 guard, arguably the most talented in the amateur ranks today, still has to prove whether he really has what it takes to lead his team to the Promised Land after Lyceum came up short against powerhouse San Beda in the NCAA seniors cage wars last year.
For the moment, Perez, 24, has another golden opportunity to do so with the Jawbreakers as they brace themselves in a winner-take-all showdown with the Che’Lu Bar and Grill Revellers on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Gagawin namin ‘yung best namin para makuha ‘yung trophy,” said the Hong Kong-born Fil-Nigerian cager with pure confidence after the Jawbreakers turned the tables on the Revellers, 98-90, last Thursday night to keep their title hopes alive.
After coming up with just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting in their 107-103 loss in the opener, Perez appeared to be more aggressive that nearly backfired when he picked up two quick fouls in the first two minutes of play.
Zark’s Burgers coach Topex Robinson refused to take any gamble and immediately pulled out Perez, who was left with no recourse but to stay focused as his fellow Jawbreakers seized control early on behind their rejuvenated defensive pressure.
Once he checked back in, the reigning NCAA league MVP settled himself down and eventually made his presence felt on his way to a team-high 15 points, spiked by four triples, on top of seven rebounds and four assists against just a pair of error in 25 minutes of play.
“Sobrang frustrating ako last time kasi nga hindi ako masyado nakatira. Iniisip ko na lang, babawi talaga ako sa Game 2,” admitted Perez. “Sobrang happy ko lang ngayon kasi nakabawi na kami. Pero mas kailangan pa namin para sa Game 3.”
Even Robinson acknowledged that Perez and the Jawbreakers are keeping their sights on taking home the ultimate prize.
“Congrats to CJ, but we have a bigger responsibility to play in Game 3. We honor him for winning the MVP. But again, its not about CJ and it’s still about LPU,” he said.
If ever they can get the job done, Zark’s Burgers will become the lowest ranked team – at sixth spot – to go all the way in league history and will complete its transformation from last year’s laughingstock to the newest toast of the country’s premier developmental league.
