CJ Perez expects total physicality when Gilas Pilipinas faces Jordan and Iran next week in the fourth window of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 2027 World Cup Asia qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Perez told BusinessMirror that the Philippine team needs to be physically strong and ready to match Jordan on August 28 and Iran on Sunday in their crucial Pool E games, which could determine their chances of qualifying for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Doha.
‘These two teams from the Middle East are absolutely strong, no doubt. So, we must be ready physically, and we are so glad to see some players coming up like Kai [Sotto],’ Perez, San Miguel Beer’s leading scorer, said.
‘We already experienced playing them before, and they keep on pouncing every time we play them,’ said Perez, who has averaged 7.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game since joining the national team in 2016.
Perez expects whoever is chosen as part of the final 12 to embrace the challenge and keep the Philippines’s World Cup qualifications bid alive. The top three teams from each bracket, plus the best fourth-place team will make it.
The Philippines is in fifth place with a 2-4 win-loss record while Jordan and Iran have 5-1 win-loss records behind undefeated Australia (6-0).
‘Good thing is the games will be played here. So, all of us are extremely excited to play,’ he added.
The Philippines, aside from Perez, has Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, AJ Edu, Juan Gomez de Liaño, June Mar Fajardo, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Troy Rosario, Carl Tamayo, Scottie Thompson, Roger Pogoy and Geo Chiu.