CJ Perez to Lead Team Pilipinas in FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifier

It seems that at this early stage of his career, CJ Perez is already getting the hang of representing the country in international competitions. In fact, he was still a rookie when he was surprisingly included in the Gilas team that played in the FIBA World Cup last year. Although the national team failed to win a single game, Columbian Dyip's then super rookie managed to attract the attention of the international media as his highlights were also included in the best highlights of the tournament. Reminder, he was just a rookie back then and yet, he already made his mark.

And in last year's SEA Games, CJ Perez led Team Pilipinas to a gold medal finish in the inaugural 3x3 competition and right now,  CJ Perez is helping Gilas Pilipinas prepare in their upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier game against Indonesia on Sunday and while all of that is going on,  CJ Perez's next duty for the country has been set.

CJ Perez is set to team up with Moala Tautuaa, Alvin Pasaol, and Joshua Munzon as Team Pilipinas that will aim to make it to the Tokyo Olympics. They will be competing against 19 other 3x3 teams in the upcoming 3x3 Olympics Qualifying Tournament from March 18 to 22 in India. The said Olympics qualifying tournament will have 20 teams vying for 3 slots in the Olympics. Those 20 squads will be split into 4 divisions of 5 teams each. Team Pilipinas' goal is to finish in the top 2 of the group stage to make it to the playoffs, then the top 3 to get one of those tickets to Tokyo, Japan.

This Olympics qualifying tournament should be a good one for Team Pilipinas as CJ Perez and Moala Tuatuaa both have experience and are the key to the country's success in the 3x3 tournament of the SEA Games last year and not only that. With Munzon and Pasaol,- both listed as among FIBA's highest-ranked 3x3 players in the country, joining the duo of Perez and Tautuaa, it's a perfect blend of experience and youth.

And fortunately, CJ Perez is both experienced in international competitions and still at a young age of 26 years old. 

Photo is from Rappler