Beermen now arranging for new recruit CJ Perez to join training

New recruit CJ Perez will soon join San Miguel’s preparations for the upcoming 2021 PBA Philippine Cup which is set to tip-off on April 9.

The 27-year old Perez was not able to join the Beermen immediately after the league’s winningest franchise acquired him from Terrafirma last February 2 in exchange for Russel Escoto, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Gelo Alolino and the team’s first round picks in the upcoming draft and in 2022 since he was still with Gilas Pilipinas at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

The 3rd and final window of 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, however, was cancelled for the second time paving the way for Perez to finally join his new team in training.

SMB team manager Gee Abanilla disclosed that they are now making arrangements for the 2-time PBA scoring champion to be cleared so that he can join the group practice sessions.

“We will arrange first his swab test schedule as required by the GAB, IATF and the DOH. After getting the negative result, we will ask him to join the team eventually and also meet key people in the office first,” said Abanilla.

Perez, who was hailed as the 2019 PBA Rookie of the Year, spent his first 2 seasons with the Dyip and submitted 11-game averages of 24.4 points on 43.6 percent shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 37.2 minutes of action in the 2020 Philippine Cup inside the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga.