OKINAWA, Japan – Two Ilocanos in Rhenz Abando and CJ Perez competed against each other on Saturday when Anyang KGC and San Miguel clashed in the EASL Champions Week.
The mutual respect between the two players grew after they faced off for the first time in a professional setting. Perez had 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals but it was Abando’s team who went home victorious after he had 22 points and five rebounds, and shot 9-of-15 from the field.
“Sobrang proud ako sa kanya,” said the 29-year-old Perez. “Maganda ‘yung nilaro niya. I hope magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung ginagawa niya sa Korea.”
READ: Anyang KGC, Abando beat SMB by 55 points
“As an Ilocano, sobrang proud ako sa kanya na nandyan siya sa mataas na level ng basketball. Masipag si Rhenz at saka talagang ginagawa niya best niya,” said Perez, who traces his roots to Bautista, Pangasinan.
Perez and Abando faced off a couple of times during the match, and Abando said he was able to learn from that experience.
“Actually sa kanya ko ata nakuha lahat ng foul ko. Tatlo,” said Abando, from Santo Tomas, La Union, with a smile. “Ang masasabi ko lang, iba talaga kapag matagal nang naglalaro sa pro. Mas matalino, mas magaling, mas talented, and alam kung paano gagamitin ‘yung katawan, paano magiging efficient sa court.”
Abando’s team won by a mile, 142-87, with Perez serving as one of the few bright spots for the Beermen as he carried the fight in the contest even in the face of defeat.
“Siya ang kumamada kanina sa court,” said Abando.
Abando said it was a pleasure to play against and learn from the players he only watched on TV before when he was a kid.
“Sobrang saya ko rin na nakalaro ko sila. Naturuan nila ako. Nagkaroon ako ng experience sa kanila. May mga natutunan ako sa kanila. Sobrang happy ako. Dati, napapanood ko lang sila. Ngayon, nakakalaro ko na sila,” said the 24-year-old Abando.
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.
