SAN Miguel Beer star wingman and Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 member CJ Perez would be the first to admit the FIBA 3×3 Olympic qualifying tournament is a different animal.
The former PBA Rookie of the Year and two-time scoring leader is up to the challenge, however.
“Parang doon mo mararamdaman iyong sobrang pisikal na 3×3. Iyon iyong nakikita namin sa mga scouting videos namin,” Perez said.
“Hindi ganoon ka-fancy pero nakakagawa sila ng paraan. Mukang matitigas talaga iyong katawan ng kalaban. Iyon ang challenge sa amin kung paano makakasabay sa kanila,” he added.
Perez, Beermen teammate Mo Tautuaa, Fil-Am wingman Joshua Munzon, Meralco rookie Alvin Pasaol, and reserves Karl Dehesa and Leonard Santillan are set to do battle in the qualifiers from May 26 to 30 in Graz, Austria.
They are expected to return today to training camp to wind up their preparations at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
The 6-foot-2 former Lyceum standout said having teammates like Munzon and Dehesa, veterans in 3×3 play, certainly helps.
“Kailangan ko pa matutunan iyong larong 3×3 lalo na nandoon sina Josh (Munzon). Sila iyong beterano sa 3×3 at halos lahat ng nakalaban namin, nakalaban na nila. Kabisado na nila paano laruin ang 3×3 at labanan doon sa pro circuit,” Perez said.
“May tips din sila ibinibigay kay coach Ronnie (Magsanoc) kasi kahit alam ni coach Ronnie ang 3×3, iba pa rin iyong world stage. Sila Karl (Dehesa) at Josh talaga malaking naitutulong sa amin.”
A former NCAA MVP, Perez is relishing the opportunity to suit up for the squad eyeing to gain one of three berths for the Tokyo Games.
“Kailangan ko i-maximize iyong mga ganitong opportunity sa buhay ko, lalo ito Olympics na ang usapan. Kahit ganito kaaga, nabibigay na sa akin iyong ganitong opportunity kaya i-gra-grab ko siya,” he said.
“Madaming player ang nangangarap na maglaro sa Gilas kaya sobrang grateful ako na binibigyan ako ng ganitong chance ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas at nila boss Al (Panlilio).
Bracketed in Group C of the four-group, 20-country tilt, Gilas will clash with Qatar and Slovenia on May 26, and then Dominican Republic and France two days later.
