Top pick CJ Perez ready to give cellar-dweller Columbian a lift

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Top overall pick CJ Perez knows he’s not a cure-all for Columbian in the coming PBA season and it needs a whole team’s effort to change the culture of a franchise.

Perez was the 2018 PBA Draft’s top selection and he went to a Dyip team badly needing wins after finishing the 2017-2018 season with an overall record of 6-27.

“Of course, it’s not just me who will lift the whole club, all of us players will have to work together to help the team improve,” said Perez in Filipino Sunday at Robinson’s Manila.

“Although I wish that we can turn the fortunes of Columbian around but we can’t do that if we don’t put in the effort.”

The former NCAA MVP will join the Dyip, who already boast a promising backcourt composed of Jerramy King and Rashawn McCarthy.

King was the fourth-best scorer among locals in the Governors’ Cup norming 20.2 points-per-game in the eliminations, but despite that, Columbian still finished with a league-worst 1-10 record in the conference.

Perez, though, was still a happy camper that he will go the Dyip as the league’s top overall pick.

“Of course I’m excited and happy that I’ll go to Columbian as the top pick and I hope I can play well in the PBA,” said Perez. “I’ll always bring in the effort and if the team needs a scorer then I’ll be ready for that.I will give my best to the team.”

Perez’ new coach Johnedel Cardel added that there’ll be no change in the lineup and that the team with Perez and fellow rookie JP Calvo will be final.

“Whoever we picked, we’ll stick with them,” said Cardel. “Hopefully, we can win more with the addition of CJ and some other guys. For me, CJ is perfect for us.”