Despite NCAA finals loss, CJ Perez still a winner with baby on the way

CJ Perez missed out on an NCAA hardware this year but the Lyceum star will have his own soon and a much better one with a first-born on the way.

Perez, whose one-game suspension cost him a place in the Mythical and All-Defensive Team before getting swept by San Beda in the NCAA Finals for the second straight year, is reportedly expecting a baby girl with his partner Sienna Catacutan due to give birth at the end of the month.

The 24-year-old Perez, Lyceum’s unquestioned leader, had another stellar season where he carried the Pirates back to the championship round.

But now, he’s even more ready to take on a bigger responsibility of being a father.

“Having a baby is not just a big responsibility, it’s also a blessing. If only we had won then, I would be having two trophies,” Perez told Danine Cruz of ABS-CBN Sports in Filipino after the Red Lions racked up their 11th men’s basketball title in 13 years following a 71-56 rout of the Pirates Monday night.

“Actually, he didn’t win any trophy but he said his trophy is on the way and it’s our baby,” Catacutan said in Filipino. “That’s his biggest win this year.”

More blessings are coming Perez’s way with the Columbian Dyip reportedly keen on making him the top overall pick in next month’s PBA Rookie Draft.