CJ PEREZ has been making the country proud with his performance in the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup. Perhaps no one is prouder than Topex Robinson, his college coach.
“I’m excited for what the future holds for him,” Robinson said. “He was really something else on that stage. I’m so proud of him.”
Robinson has seen Perez through thick and thin, dating back to their days with San Sebastian to Lyceum where Robinson was the head coach of Perez through those years. Robinson has witnessed the glory days of Perez when he won the MVP in 2017, while leading the Pirates to the finals following an 18-0 win-loss record.
But admittedly, Robinson said he was pleasantly surprised with how Perez held his own against the world’s best players.
“Never in my wildest dream na I will see him in that stage,” said Robinson. “It’s so surreal for me to see him there.”
Robinson said he has been closely following Perez in the World Cup campaign, even speaking to him in between games. Perez had 15 points in his first World Cup game against Italy, tying Andray Blatche for most in the match. He then followed it with 16 and 17 points against Serbia and Angola.
“After the (first) game, we were even joking around na natapat. Tapos, second game, ganun pa rin. Sabi ko, wow. This is really different. Sinundan pa nung kahapon. Kaya sobrang crowning glory for him,” said Robinson.
Perez had a lapse late in the fourth quarter of the match against Angola where he was unaware of the remaining time on the clock that led to the game being sent into overtime.
“Sabi ko nga, ‘yung naging outcome nung laro niya, right after the game, we were texting. He felt bad about the result. ‘Yung incident, that could have changed the outcome of the game na involved siya.”
“I told him na I’m so proud of what you’ve achived and ngayon, there is a lot of opportunities. But nonetheless, it’s a crowning glory for him and I’m just proud of ‘yung kung ano ‘yung na-achieve niya ngayon,” said Robinson.
Robinson said the lapse can turn into something positive for Perez in the long run.
“Sabi ko kasi look at the big picture. Wala namang gusto mangyari ‘yun. Sino bang in the right frame of mind that those things will happen. Normal lang ‘yun. What I like is what coach Yeng (Guiao) said is sa akin niyo na lang isisi. That’s a testament of a great leader and a great coach. Anybody could save their own skin at sabihin kasi ganito ‘yung sinabi ko. That’s why when coach Yeng said na put the blame on me, it’s a sacrifice sa sarili niya to make sure that his players are protected.
“Those things (mental lapse), it’s going to be a learning experience. There is still so much things ahead for our national team,” said Robinson.
Robinson said Perez’s success in the World Cup is a testament of his hardwork particularly when he was invited to be part of the Gilas pool.
“Sabi ko nga nung time na wala pang guarantee ‘yung spot niya, I was checking on him, ready lang siya. Again that’s really a testament to how dedicated he is. Alam niya ‘yung opportunity niya ‘yun dahil hindi niya alam kung kelan uli darating ‘yun,” said Robinson.
With his soaring performance, Robinson continues to remind Perez despite now being on opposite sides with Robinson an assistant coach of Phoenix Pulse and Perez playing as a rookie for Columbian.
“Reminder ko lang sa kanya, always be a blessing for others. Nasa position siya ngayon that he could really influence a lot of people. It should always come from being a blessing to others. Grabe ‘yung naging outcome. No one really thought that he will come out like that,” said Robinson.
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