CJ Perez relishes first duel vs Ray Parks in matchup of top two picks

CJ Perez. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Draft orders don’t matter for Columbian rookie CJ Perez, but playing against Blackwater freshman Bobby Ray Parks Jr. does.

Perez was the top overall pick of the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft while Parks was chosen right after him at No. 2, yet the two only got to play their first game against each other on Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

While Perez was having himself a conference to remember in the Philippine Cup, where he averaged 16.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, Parks was still with Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.

The delay also fanned the hype surrounding their first matchup, but Perez didn’t focus on that and instead praised Parks for what he was able to accomplish outside of the PBA.

“It’s a great experience playing against Ray Parks but still it’s the whole team we focused on,” said Perez in Filipino after losing to the Elite 110-95 Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“There’s always the challenge, the competition, and it’s an honor playing against Ray Parks.”

Parks has been a star since his collegiate days with National University, taking two UAAP MVP plums before transitioning to the NBA D-League to play with the Texas Legends from 2015 to 2016.

It was with Alab, however, that Parks blossomed into a superstar becoming a three-time ABL Local MVP and leading the team to the 2018 title.

Perez finished with 17 points and seven rebounds while Parks had 23 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals to help the streaking Elite beat the Dyip, 118-110.

“The draft orders are just numbers,” said Perez, who was an NCAA MVP in 2017 with Lyceum. “Ray Parks has experienced a lot, he was an ABL MVP so I have a high respect for him. Still, it’s a competition and I will compete with him.”