CJ Perez’s much-anticipated PBA debut did not disappoint after he led Columbian Dyip to a stunning win over the perennial all-Filipino champions San Miguel Beermen in the 2019 Philippine Cup Friday at Cuneta Astrodome.
Perez, the top overall pick in last month’s draft, dazzled with 26 points, 24 of which came in the second half.
The former Lyceum star said he was nervous and overly excited at the same time to begin the game and that played a role to him getting off to rough start.
Call it superstition but his spellbinding show in the second half may have been also due to the fact that he actually changed his sneakers during halftime.
The 25-year-old Perez wore Russell Westbrook’s Why Not Zer0.2 in the first half where he struggled with just two points and then, went with the Nike Kobe AD Exodus in the last two quarters, where he just took over.
Columbian rookie CJ Perez wearing the Russell Westbrook Why Not Zer0.2 in the first half against San Miguel Beer. PBA IMAGES
🎥 CJ Perez mag-isa, DINAKDAK na sa fastbreak!#PBALabanKungLaban pic.twitter.com/4h3X8OCG2K
— PBA (@pbaconnect) January 18, 2019
While Perez announced his arrival in the PBA, another guard in Kevin Alas of NLEX reintroduced himself also on Friday night.
Alas appeared in his first game in 10 months after being sidelined with an ACL injury.
The 27-year-old Alas returned in the PG 2.5 “Fresno State.” He played 29 minutes off the bench and contributed 12 points, four assists and one steal.
NLEX guard Kevin Alas returns in the PG 2.5 “Fresno State” against Rain or Shine. PBA IMAGES
Rain or Shine had a triumphant season debut after beating NLEX behind a total team effort. Among those who helped the Elasto Painters in the win was veteran big man Beau Belga, who hooped in the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” and backed it up with an all-around game.
Belga had a near triple-double effort of nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 96-87 victory.
Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga in the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” against NLEX. PBA IMAGES