I remember the first time I saw CJ Perez play live at the Araneta Coliseum - the energy was electric, almost tangible. This kid from Lyceum had this raw, explosive quality that made you sit up and take notice, even amid the usual PBA chaos. Fast forward to today, and he's become one of the most exciting players in Philippine basketball, a legitimate star who's managed to exceed even the lofty expectations placed upon him.
Let me tell you, watching Perez develop has been one of the genuine pleasures of covering Philippine basketball over these past few years. His journey from NCAA standout to PBA Rookie of the Year to becoming the cornerstone of the San Miguel Beermen reads like something out of a basketball fairy tale. I was there when he dropped 26 points in his PBA debut for Columbian - the kid had this fearless quality that you simply can't teach. He wasn't just scoring; he was attacking, constantly putting pressure on defenses in ways that reminded me of a young James Yap, but with more explosive athleticism.
The numbers tell part of the story - his scoring average of 18.7 points per game last conference, those 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists that don't fully capture his playmaking growth. But what the stats miss is how he's evolved from being purely a scorer to becoming a more complete player. I've noticed his defense improving significantly this season, his rotations becoming smarter, his hands more active in passing lanes. There were moments last conference where he genuinely looked like he could win Defensive Player of the Year, which nobody would have predicted during his rookie season.
Which brings me to the current situation with San Miguel. The team finds itself in an interesting spot as they prepare for their upcoming game. There will be no room for excuses for this season's hosts even as lead playmaker Forthsky Padrigao serves his one-game suspension in the 4:30 p.m. game. This is precisely where Perez's growth becomes crucial - when your primary playmaker is out, someone needs to step up, and I believe CJ has developed into that kind of player. I've watched him handle the ball more this season, his decision-making improving with each game. He's no longer just looking for his shot; he's reading defenses, making the right passes, controlling the tempo in ways we hadn't seen before.
What fascinates me about Perez's development is how he's adapted his game to fit within San Miguel's system. Remember, this is a franchise with championship DNA, with veterans like June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter who know what it takes to win. Early in his career, Perez might have tried to do too much, to force the action. Now he's picking his spots better, understanding when to attack and when to facilitate. I counted at least three games last month where he made critical fourth-quarter plays that didn't even show up in the scoring column - a deflection that led to a fast break, an offensive rebound that extended a possession, the kind of winning plays that championship teams need.
Looking ahead, I'm genuinely excited about what Perez can achieve. At 28, he's entering what should be the prime of his career, and he's shown steady improvement each season. If he continues developing at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a regular MVP candidate within the next two years. The pieces are there - the athleticism, the improving skills, the basketball IQ that's growing with each season. What he needs now is to take that final step from star to superstar, the kind of player who can single-handedly carry a team through tough stretches in the playoffs.
The upcoming game without Padrigao presents exactly the kind of challenge that could accelerate that development. Pressure creates diamonds, as they say, and without their primary playmaker, San Miguel will need Perez to be more than just a scorer. They'll need him to create for others, to organize the offense, to be the primary decision-maker in crucial moments. Based on what I've seen this season, I think he's ready for that responsibility. His assist numbers have climbed to around 4.5 per game when he's played significant minutes at point guard, and more importantly, his turnover rate has decreased despite handling the ball more frequently.
What many casual fans might not appreciate is how Perez has worked on the mental aspect of his game. I've spoken with coaches who've worked with him, and they consistently mention his film study habits, his desire to understand defensive schemes, his commitment to learning the nuances that separate good players from great ones. This isn't just natural talent we're seeing - it's the product of genuine dedication to his craft.
As I look around the PBA landscape, I can't help but feel that Perez represents the new breed of Filipino basketball stars - versatile, athletic, capable of impacting the game in multiple ways. He's part of this exciting generation that includes players like Robert Bolick and Jamie Malonzo, players who combine local skills with global athleticism. But what sets Perez apart, in my view, is his consistency and his ability to perform in big moments. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him take over fourth quarters, making big shots when his team needs them most.
The future looks bright for both Perez and Philippine basketball. With the national team program always looking for new stars, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a fixture in Gilas Pilipinas rotations for years to come. His style of play - aggressive, attacking, relentless - fits perfectly with the international game. I've spoken with several basketball people who believe he could average 15-20 points per game in FIBA competitions if given consistent minutes.
As we watch Perez's career continue to unfold, what strikes me most is how he's managed to exceed expectations at every turn. From being a relatively unheralded prospect coming out of high school to becoming one of the PBA's brightest stars, his journey has been remarkable. And at 28, with what appears to be several prime years ahead of him, the best might still be yet to come. For Philippine basketball fans, that's an exciting prospect indeed - watching a homegrown talent continue to evolve and potentially become one of the all-time greats in our beloved sport.
