CJ Perez gets edge over Robert Bolick in battle of top rookies

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–CJ Perez and Robert Bolick picked up where they left off the last time the two Gilas Pilipinas teammates shared the court.

Both rookies shone as the biggest revelations for the Philippine team in its Fiba World Cup stint and nothing’s changed even when they’re on opposing sides.

Perez and Bolick had quite a duel Wednesday night when Columbian took on NorthPort in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Bolick got off to a fast start as he set the tone for the Batang Pier’s solid first half but it was Perez who had the final say after erupting for 16 points in the third quarter where the Dyip turned the tide en route to a 114-108 win.

“So happy to see Robert’s game improve big time. His confidence is really high and he really leads his team,” Perez, who helped his team improve to 2-1, said in Filipino. “I’m so grateful to be able to play against him.”

“I had the chance to talk to him after and I just told him he played a good game.”

Perez bucked a slow start to finish with a game-high 26 points, 11 rebounds, six assists with two steals and a block to boot while Bolick also delivered an all-around outing with 23 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

The 25-year-old Perez, however, had more help from his teammates especially from burly reinforcement Khapri Alston, who owned the paint with 25 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks.