CJ Perez | Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel’s acquisition of two-time scoring champion CJ Perez was obviously the biggest move of the PBA offseason as it brings in another superstar to a team that’s already loaded in talent and experience.
Perez joins Mythical Team members and MVPs in his second team in the league and head coach Leo Austria is more focused on having the young gun blend well with the accomplished squad.
“Our team already has players who can score so all we need to do is develop CJ’s chemistry with the team,” said Austria in Filipino as per the league’s official website.
“We know CJ for a fact is a scorer and that was very evident during the last bubble. He’s the top scorer of the league.”
Perez, the 2019 Rookie of the Year, averaged 24.4 points a game during the bubble and his stat is two points full ahead of second placer Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
Acquiring Perez means that San Miguel gave up role players Russel Escoto, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Gelo Alolino and its first round picks in the 2020 and 2022 Draft.
But a talent of Perez’ caliber just made the Beermen a tad more formidable that already has six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, 2013 MVP Arwind Santos, three-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo, and Mythical Team members Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross.
Games, however, are yet to be played but Austria is seeing bright things from his new player.
“So far so good when it comes to on-court display. He’s very observant,” said Austria. “CJ will be a very important part of the team.”