CJ Perez looks to make most of OQT stint as Gilas 3x3 braces for physical competition

CJ Perez is looking to make the most of his stint as a member of the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

For him, the opportunity to be an Olympian is something that he would not want to miss.

"I need to maximize opportunities like this, especially since we are talking about the Olympics. Even this early, I have been given this kind of opportunity so I need to grab it," Perez said in Filipino.

The 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) gold medalist also knows the capabilities of their opponents in the upcoming tournament, that is why he is bracing up for the tough competition.

"There, you will know that the 3x3 game is very physical. That's what we saw in the scouting videos. They're not really fancy in terms of plays but they have the moves. It looks like their bodies are very strong," Perez said.

"That's the challenge for us, how can we keep up with them?"

Perez is thankful that he is training with more experienced 3x3 teammates such as Joshua Munzon and alternates Leonard Santillan and Karl Dehesa inside the Gilas camp to prepare them for the OQT. Santillan and Dehesa also played in the 3x3 pro circuit.

"They are 3x3 veterans and they have faced almost all of our opponents. They really know 3x3 and how the pro circuit works. Coach Ronnie [Magsanoc] is also giving some tips since the world stage is really different. Karl and Josh are really of big help," Perez said.

Perez, along with Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, and SEAG teammate Mo Tautuaa will represent the Philippines in the FIBA 3X3 OQT to be held on May 26-30 in Graz, Austria.

Gilas 3x3 is expected to return to camp on Friday after their break to arrange necessary documents. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News