Gilas Pilipinas’ CJ Perez during a training session ahead of the Filipinos’ game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers. –DENISON DALUPANG
HONG KONG — Gilas Pilipinas’ CJ Perez believes he owes this country a show when the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers raise its curtains this Thursday.
“Playing here in Hong Kong is a great opportunity to provide entertainment for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” he told the Inquirer shortly after the practice at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre on Thursday.
“[Some of them] haven’t been back home for so long and haven’t had the chance to see Philippine basketball live, so you bet we’re excited to bring the game close [to them] and give our best to win the game,” he added.
SCHEDULE: Gilas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers window 1
Perez has another reason to do just that—one that has been holding on to for about 31 years.
“It’s symbolic, really,” he said. “I was born here. I may have not grown up here, but my Mom stayed here and worked here so I think that’s a big thing.”
His mother is just like many he ought to serve this Thursday when the new-look Gilas Pilipinas takes on the hosts 8 p.m. at the same venue.
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“She was also an OFW here, and if I’m not mistaken, she worked here for over a decade. And then came back at times as I grew older.”
Perez was born in Kowloon on Nov. 17, 1993. He was then brought and raised in his mother’s home province of Pangasinan, where he learned about basketball.
“We’ve talked about me playing here and she’s glad that I’m going to,” Perez said.
“This is where I was born and where my mom worked, so it’s a nice touch for me.”