CJ Perez admitted that making the Gilas Pilipinas final cut for the 2023 FIBA World Cup will be extremely hard.
Citing the presence of top players who share the same position as him, Perez said it was different in the runup to the 2019 World Cup when injuries plagued the squad.
“Last time, me and Robert (Bolick) were not supposed to be there in the World Cup,” Perez recalled.
“We were just part of the pool…(and) there were players who got injured, so we were included.”
CJ Perez was one among those players who surprisingly earned a spot in the Gilas Pilipinas World Cup team in 2019 that was coached by Yeng Guiao.
“It’s a lot difficult,” said Perez, who will be jostling for a spot along with fellow guards like Chris Newsome, Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks, Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Rhenz Abando and Roger Pogoy and the still injured Scottie Thompson.
Even naturalized player Jordan Clarkson, a shooin, is also a guard.
“A lot of players deserve to be on the roster. But of course, it really depends on Coach Chot what kind of players they need.”
Apart from being a part of the main Gilas squad, Perez, who now plays for San Miguel Beer, also suited up for the 3×3 team in the Southeast Asian Games and even the national team in the Phnom Penh SEA Games last May.
While everyone awaits the announcement of the final lineup, Perez will continue to play to the best of his abilities.
“We don’t know until when we can represent the national team, so if ever I’ll be included in this year’s World Cup, it’s going to be sweeter. Every time I play for Gilas, it’s always a great opportunity for my career.”
