CJ Perez was the only DNP (Did Not Play) in Gilas Pilipinas’ opening game in the Fiba Basketball World Cup against Dominican Republic.
Coach Chot Reyes acknowledged Perez being an offensive weapon of the national team, but stressed at the same time, the rest of the Gilas were playing so well against Karl-Anthony Towns and Co. that that coaching staff had a difficult time assessing the right time for the former PBA scoring champion to be fielded in.
“It’s just the ebb and flow of the ballgame. I felt the guys who were inside were playing really well and we were right in the ballgame,” said the Gilas mentor in explaining the coaching staff’s decision not to play the high-scoring wingman of San Miguel.
A major twist came down the stretch when Jordan Clarkson fouled out with 3:32 left to play and the hosts down by just three.
Again, it was a tough call the coaching staff had to deal with by opting not to field in Perez totally.
“At that point, I thought it was too late to insert somebody who was ice-cold from the bench,” said Reyes of the former NCAA MVP out of Lyceum.
Gilas went on to lose the game, 87-81, as only June Mar Fajardo carried the load for the Philippines upon Clarkson’s exit.
Reyes though, said Perez was included in the team owing to his scoring ability which factored for him to beat out Chris Newsome as the last cut in Gilas’ 12-man roster.
“We need CJ when we have a scoring drought, and we need to get something happen on the court,” said the veteran coach.
“But like I said, we were fine all the way through, until the last five minutes when Jordan fouled out,” stressed Reyes. “When the situations call for it, I’m pretty sure in the next game CJ should be ready.”
If there’s any consolation for Perez, Dominican Republic also has one DNP player in Gerardo Suero.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
