FIBA World Cup: Inexperience led to Perez's late-game blunder, says Guiao | ABS-CBN
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FIBA World Cup: Inexperience led to Perez's late-game blunder, says Guiao
FIBA World Cup: Inexperience led to Perez's late-game blunder, says Guiao
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 04, 2019 07:52 PM PHT
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Updated Sep 05, 2019 02:34 AM PHT

FOSHAN, China—Gilas Pilipinas had a golden opportunity to defeat Angola in regulation in its final group-round game in the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Wednesday night here at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center.
FOSHAN, China—Gilas Pilipinas had a golden opportunity to defeat Angola in regulation in its final group-round game in the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Wednesday night here at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center.
The Filipinos came up with a stop against Angola, and Kiefer Ravena drew the African side's last foul with some five seconds left, giving Gilas time to go for the win.
The Filipinos came up with a stop against Angola, and Kiefer Ravena drew the African side's last foul with some five seconds left, giving Gilas time to go for the win.
But rookie guard CJ Perez, who hit the 3-pointer that tied the game at 73, held onto the ball for too long, and wound up firing a long triple as time expired. His shot missed wildly, and Gilas went on to lose in overtime, 84-81, to finish winless in Group D.
But rookie guard CJ Perez, who hit the 3-pointer that tied the game at 73, held onto the ball for too long, and wound up firing a long triple as time expired. His shot missed wildly, and Gilas went on to lose in overtime, 84-81, to finish winless in Group D.
"It's my decision," Perez would say of the play. "I was supposed to drive that. Maybe lack of experience maybe. But if . . . I don’t know."
"It's my decision," Perez would say of the play. "I was supposed to drive that. Maybe lack of experience maybe. But if . . . I don’t know."
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"I think I should drive that. Maybe I can make the shot," he said.
"I think I should drive that. Maybe I can make the shot," he said.
Perez still had a fine game, putting up 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists while playing a big role in the Philippines' comeback from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Perez still had a fine game, putting up 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists while playing a big role in the Philippines' comeback from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
For head coach Yeng Guiao, what happened in the final possession of regulation was a sign of Perez's inexperience on the international level.
For head coach Yeng Guiao, what happened in the final possession of regulation was a sign of Perez's inexperience on the international level.
"I guess it’s really the inexperience. In a situation like that, in a PBA situation, there’s going to be a timeout and you can get the ball in anybody’s hand and he will have a clear understanding of what he needs to do," he said.
"I guess it’s really the inexperience. In a situation like that, in a PBA situation, there’s going to be a timeout and you can get the ball in anybody’s hand and he will have a clear understanding of what he needs to do," he said.
In FIBA tournaments, however, no such timeouts can be called. The coaching staff and the players on the bench tried their best to call Perez's attention and point out how much time was remaining, to no avail.
In FIBA tournaments, however, no such timeouts can be called. The coaching staff and the players on the bench tried their best to call Perez's attention and point out how much time was remaining, to no avail.
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"For one reason or another, medyo nag-freeze si CJ and also Kiefer (Ravena) was asking for the ball because I knew Kiefer was going to attack the basket, he’s in that frame of mind," said Guiao.
"For one reason or another, medyo nag-freeze si CJ and also Kiefer (Ravena) was asking for the ball because I knew Kiefer was going to attack the basket, he’s in that frame of mind," said Guiao.
"But what happened was CJ chose to linger with the ball and the time ran out. It’s a little immaturity, it’s a little inexperience. It’s a little getting used to the international game."
"But what happened was CJ chose to linger with the ball and the time ran out. It’s a little immaturity, it’s a little inexperience. It’s a little getting used to the international game."
Guiao theorized that Perez may have been expecting a timeout to be called in that instance, as would have been the case in the PBA.
Guiao theorized that Perez may have been expecting a timeout to be called in that instance, as would have been the case in the PBA.
"Sa PBA timeout na talaga 'yun, pero pagdating doon, kailangan ka na umatake. But 'yun nga, they get so used to that environment, sometimes you cannot overturn the habit right away," he said.
"Sa PBA timeout na talaga 'yun, pero pagdating doon, kailangan ka na umatake. But 'yun nga, they get so used to that environment, sometimes you cannot overturn the habit right away," he said.
Still, the blunder should not take away from what has been a tremendous campaign for Perez. The Columbian Dyip rookie continues to be Gilas' most consistent player, and his clutch 3-pointer with 33 seconds left allowed the Philippines to force overtime.
Still, the blunder should not take away from what has been a tremendous campaign for Perez. The Columbian Dyip rookie continues to be Gilas' most consistent player, and his clutch 3-pointer with 33 seconds left allowed the Philippines to force overtime.
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He is now averaging 16 points on 53% shooting, along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game for Gilas Pilipinas.
He is now averaging 16 points on 53% shooting, along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game for Gilas Pilipinas.
"He's incredible. CJ played like a veteran, actually better than the veterans, some veterans," Guiao said of Perez. "He had some rookie mistakes, I was telling him about the rookie mistakes. One was he held the ball too long and he was kind of hesitant at that point."
"He's incredible. CJ played like a veteran, actually better than the veterans, some veterans," Guiao said of Perez. "He had some rookie mistakes, I was telling him about the rookie mistakes. One was he held the ball too long and he was kind of hesitant at that point."
"I guess we can charge that to inexperience. But overall he played a good series here. And we haven't seen his full potential yet. We'll see a lot more of CJ Perez," Guiao added.
"I guess we can charge that to inexperience. But overall he played a good series here. And we haven't seen his full potential yet. We'll see a lot more of CJ Perez," Guiao added.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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