CALVIN Abueva believes CJ Perez will make it big in the PBA. But for now, he advises the top rookie pick to focus on improving his game.
The Phoenix Pulse forward has nothing but kind words Perez but noted that nothing's easy when it comes to playing in the pro league.
"Actually nung college nakikita ko na siya. Pero wag siyang masyadong mag-guarantee sa mga kung ano ang ginagawa niya ngayon," said Abueva moments after helping Phoenix to a 108-98 win over Perez and Columbian Dyip on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"I-push niya pa sarili niya para maging high-level ang laro niya. Siyempre parang marami pa tayong naiisip dahil rookie pa pero iimprove mo muna sarili mo bago maging high-level laro mo," Abueva tells Perez.
Perez was nicknamed "Baby Beast" during his early years in 2013 with San Sebastian, the same school Abueva helped win its last NCAA crown in 2009.
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A few years later, Perez moved to Lyceum where he gained prominence.
During his baptism of fire as a full-pledge pro on Jan. 18, Perez made a quite an impression by scoring 26 points in the Dyip's 124-118 upset of defending champion San Miguel Beermen at the Cuneta Astrodome.
But Abueva and the Fuel Masters brought him back to earth on Wednesday. Perez was held to just 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.
Abueva, on the other hand, produced 16 points and nine rebounds to power Phoenix to its first 3-0 start since joining the PBA in the 2016 Commissioner's Cup. (JT)
