CJ Perez would rather concentrate for now on the present which is the preparation of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers than think of what the future holds as far as his PBA career is concerned.
“Actually yung mga ganung bagay hindi ko iniisip ngayon dahil kailangan mag-focus dito sa Gilas,” Perez said in an interview with One Sports’ The Game that aired Monday. “Para sa akin kasi minsan distraction yung mga ganung bagay. Hindi naman natin kontrolado mga ganun."
Perez is currently the most talked-about player after Terrafirma agreed to trade the Rookie of the Year and Mythical First Team member in 2019 to San Miguel Beer in exchange for Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Russell Escoto, Gelo Alolino and the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft.
Focus is now on the PBA’s trade committee composed of deputy commissioner Eric Castro, legal counsel Melvin Mendoza and technical committee members Junior Bengua, Rosc Teotico and Joey Guanio to whether approved the deal, asked the two parties to revise it or nix the trade.
The decision of the trade committee will be heavily-scrutinized, given the negative reception from fans and even former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
But Perez said that thinking too much of where he’ll be headed will only distract him from his current task.
“Actually, mas iniisip ko yung (Gilas) training kasi mas nachachallenge yung mental at physical toughness ko kasi napapasubo ako,” added Perez, who is part of the Gilas training bubble inside the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Read: Rosales respects fans opinion on Perez trade, calls it ‘healthy’ for PBA
Perez was one of only six PBA players who took part in the Gilas training bubble, and is expected to figure prominently in the upcoming window which was moved to Doha, Qatar following the decision of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to cancel the hosting in Clark, Pampanga.