Perez believes Gilas capable of pulling off major upsets in World Cup

By Josef Ramos

CJ PEREZ, just like everybody else in the pool, wants to pull off one upset after another in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup that starts in exactly one week with the Philippines taking on the Dominican Republic in an exclusive opening-day game at the Philippine Arena in Bocuae.

Utah Jazz star, Perez said, made that goal achievable.

With the help of Jordan Clarkson, the chance of winning in the World Cup has become possible,” Perez of San Miguel Beer told BusinessMirror on Friday. “His presence is huge and we’re not cramming in training, everybody is on the same page.”

The 16-member Gilas Pilipinas pool was finally complete under two weeks before the World Cup with Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson returning from injury bay, Clarkson flying in under the FIBA national team window and Kai Sotto finally showing up in his towering 7-foot-2 presence.

The team played Ivory Coast on Friday night, one of three remaining tune-up games that head coach Chot Reyes said would determine the final 12. The others are against Montenegro on Sunday and Mexico on Monday all behind closed doors at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Dominican Republic will be parading Minnesota Timberwolves

7-foot center Karl Anthony-Towns who, Perez said, would be a difficult matchup but Gilas’s big men would be up to the task.

We have our boys like Japeth [Aguilar], June Mar [Fajardo] and Kai [Sotto] to take care of the frontline,” he said. “Everybody’s working hard and so motivated.”

He admitted he’s ready to accept his fate if he won’t be in the final 12.

What important is we’re always here to do our best,” he said.

A lso in the pool are Dwight Ramos, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., AJ Edu, Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando, Roger Pogoy, Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana.

SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Sonny Barrios (center right) addresses members of Gilas Pilipinas during team practice at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night.