CJ Perez stands alongside Columbian Dyip team officals and players after being made the top overall pick of the 2018 PBA Draft. (MB photo | Rio Deluvio)

by Waylon Galvez

PBA top rookie CJ Perez knows that things will not come easy from here on and that he has to work hard to prove why he was selected as the first overall pick of the 2018 PBA Draft by Columbian Dyip when he starts playing in the Philippine Cup next month.

According to Perez, his priority is to understand the system of Columbian Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel and get used to playing with his new teammates like Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King.

“That’s my main focus now, I want to get know my new teammates, the system of coach John Cardel,” said Perez, the former NCAA Most Valuable Player from the Lyceum Pirates.

“We have several weeks to go to prepare before the Philippine Cup, and it’s going to be a challenge, not only for me but us as a team to play together under the system of our coach,” added Perez.

The 6-foot-2 forward is excited to play alongside McCarthy and King, Columbian’s backcourt. They will form a “three-headed monster” with the versatile Perez, a player who is compared to Calvin Abueva of Phoenix Fuel.

Cardel, a former PBA player, said that the presence of Perez would help the franchise in its bid to improve its record from the previous Philippine Cup where the Dyip finished with a 1-11 card.

“The kind of talent he has, Perez is definitely a big addition. He has what it takes to be considered a franchise player, and that’s the challenge for him, and for the team for us to have a good campaign,” said Cardel.

Perez and his representatives are now discussing terms and details of his contract with Columbian Dyip.

Tags: 2018 PBA Draft , Calvin Abueva , CJ Perez , Columbian Dyip , Jerramy King , Johnedel Cardel , Philippine Cup , Rashawn McCarthy