SMB star CJ Perez speaks up on alleged Gilas cut
AS netizens begun regretting the ‘what-could-have-beens’ for Gilas Pilipinas at the 31st Southeast Asian Games, speculations mounted as to why CJ Perez wasn’t part of the first Philippine basketball team not to win a gold medal in 33 years.
For the record, the San Miguel guard had a few decent stints with the national team, including the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.
As fans began asking about his non-inclusion, Perez’s wife Sienna Catacutan-Perez weighed in on Twitter, revealing that the high-flying guard was cut from the SEA Games-bound team at the last moment.
“He was part [of the team], minessage na sya actually and then we received a text na cinut ulit sya ni coach,” said Mrs. Perez in a response to a Twitter post on the issue. Her tweets have since been deleted.
“I mean morning minessage kami na part sya, kinagabihan binawi,” she continued, adding a ‘face with tears of joy’ emoji.
LOOK:
Catacutan, however, did not elaborate when this happened.
Side-stepping CJ
As SPIN.ph sought answers, the 28-year-old responded to our message but chose to sidestep the issue, expressing instead his unwavering commitment to serve Gilas at any given time.
“Better I stay away from this issue,” he said. “I remain 100% committed to serving my country, anytime, anywhere.”
Perez has never wavered in his commitment to Gilas even during his time with Terrafirma. He last played for the national team during the first window of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers, as well as the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for 3×3 last year.
The 6-2 high-flyer was also part of the gold medal-winning 3×3 sides in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila and also played for Yeng Guiao’s Gilas side in China.
He was part of the original 30-man pool for the SEA Games but his name was no longer in the Final 16 released by Chot Reyes and his staff weeks before the Hanoi showpiece.
However, Gilas was forced to make last-minute changes when Kevin Alas, who was originally part of the Final 12, begged off to be by the side of his ailing wife Selena in her battle against a rare form on cancer.
Gilas eventually named reserve Jaydee Tungcab to the team, pending approval from the Vietnam SEA Games organizing committee.
News
The WARNING sign and Fajardo’s huge workload prior to his injury
The warning sign and Fajardo’s huge workload prior to his injury AS stunning as the June Mar Fajardo was, it wasn’t as if there were no warning signs. Considering the work that Fajardo had to put in for the past…
Sorry Jireh Ibañes INSISTS there was no intention to HURT June Mar Fajardo
Sorry Jireh Ibañes insists there was no intention to hurt June Mar Fajardo JIREH Ibañes insisted it was not his intention to hurt June Mar Fajardo in Game Six of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series between San Miguel and…
June Mar Fajardo couldn’t care less about MVP treble after San Miguel letdown
June Mar Fajardo couldn’t care less about MVP treble after San Miguel letdown JUNE Mar Fajardo admitted that Ginebra had an excellent defensive game plan for him in the deciding game of the semifinals, resulting in his worst offensive output…
News you need to know: June Mar, Gilas update announcing bad news
News you need to know: June Mar, Gilas update and more Still no June Mar for Gilas June Mar Fajardo has not played in the Asian qualifiers for the world championship. PHOTO: June Mar Fajardo GILAS will still be without June Mar Fajardo in…
Fajardo vows to do this to reclaim what was lost in Game 6
‘Hindi pa naman kami out’: Fajardo vows to bounce back in Game 6 San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo in action in Game 5 of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals on June 14, 2024. PBA Images MANILA – It’s not yet…
Kyt Jimenez’s honest feelings after getting benched by San Miguel in first PBA game
Kyt Jimenez’s honest feelings after getting benched by San Miguel in first PBA game He was spitting wisdom. PBA If there’s one player who was the most excited about the game between the San Miguel Beermen and the NLEX…
End of content
No more pages to load