Potential top pick CJ Perez draws inspiration from first born ahead of PBA Draft

MANILA, Philippines—The prospect of being selected no.1 has put a load on CJ Perez’ shoulders as early as the middle part of the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament.

Perez, who was in his last year with Lyceum during the competition, was seen as the heavy favorite of his class having led the Pirates to back-to-back finals appearances.

Even though the pressure kept mounting, Perez got a big dash of inspiration when his baby girl Ciana Tanisha was born on Monday.

“My baby girl has given me a lot of motivation because I have my own family now,” said Perez in Filipino during the PBA Draft Combine Wednesday at Gatorade Hoops Center. “She’s in my heart and mind, and I know that I’ll always push myself and do everything I can for my family.”

“This isn’t just for me, this is also for them.”

Perez, who’s been likened to the manic Calvin Abueva since his early collegiate days with San Sebastian, is in a draft class that isn’t shallow by any means.

The likes of Robert Bolick, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Paul Desiderio, Abu Tratter, Bong Quinto, and J-Jay Alejandro are also in the Draft but it’s Perez whose name is being tabbed as the best of all the 47 applicants.

And Perez knows he can’t let the pressure of being a potential top pick weigh him down.

“Everybody’s saying that I’m the no.1 pick but I’m not even expecting it,” said the 6-foot-1 Perez. “There are still a lot of things that will happen and I’m just excited for the Draft and the Combine.”

“The pressure is a given, when I get to the PBA I might be in the top three and the expectation is the one thing that gives pressure. And when you’re on top your play should also be there. There’s a lot of pressure but I just have to prepare for it.”