From the streets of Bautista, Pangasinan, to the grandest courts in the Philippines and the world, Cjay Perez has come a long way in his basketball career.
This PBA Finals holds a deeper meaning for San Miguel ace Cjay Perez.
Everytime he steps on the court during the Beermen's best-of-seven duel for the crown with TNT, Perez carries with him the dreams of kids hailing from the provinces — just like he once was.
He wants to remind them that anything is possible.
“I-de-dedicate ko ‘tong Finals para sa mga batang nanagangarap kagaya ko. Kaming mga galing probinsiya na mga takot pumunta rito sa Manila kasi takot na walang matirhan, na hindi sila makuha [sa team],” said Perez during the presser for the championship round Friday, July 11.
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The answer supplemented his earlier post on Facebook, where the 31-year-old slasher from Bautista, Pangasinan reflected on his journey from the province to PBA stardom.
“Nagsimula akong maglaro nang nakayapak sa kalsada ng Pangasinan. Minsan walang kain, madalas walang baon. 'Pag nanalo? Ayos! May pang-tusok sa fishball at ice tubig,” Perez wrote.
“Ngayon, pang-apat ko na sa PBA Finals. Hindi ako nandito para sumikat — nandito ako para manalo. Para sa pamilya. Para sa batang ako na kahit kupas na bola ang gamit, buung-buo pa rin ang loob.”
Cjay Perez celebrates with Game 7 hero Chris Ross. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Perez reminds these aspiring cagers that what they lack in money, uniforms, shoes, and even connections, they can make up for with belief in themselves.
“Kaya tong Finals run na 'to, iniaalay ko para sa lahat ng batang pinanganak na kulang: kulang sa gamit, kulang sa sapatos, kulang sa pamasahe, kulang sa back-up, pero punung-puno ng pangarap. 'Wag kayong bibitaw. Hindi hadlang ang kulang kung buo ang loob mo,” Perez added.
[RELATED STORY: Out to repeat history? Austria says SMB only eyeing redemption vs Grand Slam-seeking TNT]
This is definitely an added motivation for the Best Player of the Conference candidate gunning for his third championship in the league.
“'Yon ang inspiration ko, na may mga players from other provinces na walang budget pumunta rito. Hindi nila alam kung paano sila mag-uumpisa,” Perez said.
“Being in the Finals and playing basketball, 'yong mahal mo at nilalaro mo mula bata, it's an honor na may mga ibang bata na makikita kami ritong naglalaro.”