FOSHAN, China—There were questions about CJ Perez's inclusion in the Philippines' roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, given his status as a rookie in the PBA.

After two games here, the Columbian Dyip guard has answered all those questions in emphatic fashion.

It is Perez — not Andray Blatche, not June Mar Fajardo — who has been Gilas Pilipinas' most consistent and most efficient player in the World Cup. It is Perez, along with fellow rookie Robert Bolick, who has garnered praise from coach Yeng Guiao for their performances.

Even FIBA took note of Perez's game, putting together a highlight reel of his plays from their matches against Italy and Serbia.

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For the former NCAA Most Valuable Player, his fearless play is something that has been instilled in him by his coaches — from Lyceum coach Topex Robinson to Guiao.

"May mga coaches ako kasi before, sila coach Topex and coach Yeng, sinabi din na diyan sa basketball, wala namang mangyayari sa'ming masama kung aatake kami nang hard or itira namin 'yung bola nang maayos," said Perez after Gilas wrapped up its practice on Tuesday night at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center.

"Kahit na NBA player nakakalaban namin. So para sa amin, tapang lang, 'yung tapang," he added. "S'yempre alam naman natin mga Pilipino matapang. Kahit saan pumunta yan matapang."

"Kaya ganun lang siguro yung nasa mindset ko kaya ayun, gusto ko lang din talaga manalo."

Against Italy, Perez put up 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, along with 2 rebounds and 3 assists. He had 16 points against Serbia, the most on the team. So far, he is shooting 57% from the field, despite being defended by taller guards and attacking against towering big men.

"Para sa akin, I'm just doing my best to get a win," said Perez, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.

Perez's play has endeared him to Filipino basketball fans, but the guard is mostly unaware of the praise that he is getting from social media. He humbly accepts the positive comments, but wishes that they would extend to the entire Gilas team, including the coaching staff.

"Mas OK kung buong team 'yung purihin nila. Mas maganda 'yun kasi 'yun nga, 'yung effort ng buong team, lalo na 'yung mga coaches, binibigay nila 'yung effort nila para mapaganda 'yung laro namin," he said.

"Kaya mas credit sa lahat ng nangyayari sa amin dito sa mga coaches, kasi andoon lahat 'yung sistema."

And while he is happy to be playing well in the World Cup, Perez is also hopeful that the whole team will soon find its rhythm. Against Italy, it was he and Andray Blatche who reached double digits in scoring; against Serbia, he and Paul Lee carried the scoring load.

Perez knows, however, that the squad needs everyone to contribute in order to be more competitive.

"Ang mga NBA players, andito kaya gusto mong magpakitang gilas," he said. "Pero ayun nga sa akin, 'yung team talaga 'yung iniisip ko, na sana, maganda 'yung ilaro naming lahat para mas maganda 'yung flow ng laro namin."

"Kasi 'pag kunwari, ako lang 'yung maganda ilalaro, parang wala din. Wala din namang kwenta," he pointed out. "Talagang 'yung team mismo talaga 'yung iniisip namin."

The Filipinos have one more chance to get a victory on Wednesday afternoon, when they take on the lower-ranked Angola in their final game of Group D. Perez will surely be a target of the Angolan defenders, but he is determined to keep up his strong play for Gilas.

"Kailangan namin ipanalo 'yung game," he said. "Para makabawi naman kami sa mga kababayan natin, and kila coach."

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