San Miguel Beermen star CJ Perez still smiles whenever he recalls the events that marked this history-making basketball game.
CJ Perez has been part of many memorable basketball games in his career. He’s probably seen it all in a career that’s taken him through three college basketball programs, a champion PBA D-League squad, two FIBA World Cups, and the PBA’s most successful franchise.
But there was one game that stands out for him, one whose result was so stunning that he called it one of the greatest games he’s ever been part of.
It was October 6, 2023, and Gilas Pilipinas was battling hosts China in the semifinal of the men’s basketball tournament of the Hangzhou Asian Games. At one point, China was ahead by 20 points, and with a little over three minutes left, the hosts still had a commanding 76-67 lead. Take note, China had always won the men’s basketball gold medal whenever it was the Asian Games host, so history was firmly on their side.
“That’s one of the greatest games na nalaruan ko,” Perez told The GAME in an exclusive interview. “Against China, feeling namin that time, down 20, matatalo kami kasi home court pa nila. And they’re just…talagang sobrang lahat ng tira nila pumapasok.”
Perez then scored on a drive to cut the lead to seven. Then something magical happened.
“And then, magic Brownlee, pumutok yung magic Brownlee,” Perez recalled, referring to Gilas naturalized player Justin Brownlee erupting for eight straight points, including back-to-back triples, to give Gilas a slim 77-76 lead with 23.4 seconds to go. “So, dun na kami parang one, two three-point shots niya, tapos medyo nagmalas na yung China. Doon, nagdire-diretso.”
China still had a chance to steal the win, but couldn’t convert on their last possession. Perez grabbed the rebound and passed the ball to Brownlee, who flung it into the air as the final buzzer sounded. Gilas Pilipinas had done the unthinkable. No one expected Gilas to come back from 20 down against the host country, but somehow they pulled it off.
For CJ Perez, even if it was still the semifinals, it felt like they had already won it all. The players all gathered around Brownlee after the final buzzer, celebrating in a big group hug.
“Isa sa pinaka-greatest game na nasalian ko, yun yung game ng China na yun. Semis pa lang, pero sobrang feeling namin, naka-gold na kami nun kasi sa hirap ng pinagdaanan bago makapunta sa gold medal game.”
Gilas would go on to beat Jordan for the gold medal, the Philippines’ first in men’s basketball in 61 years.
Banner Images by Kitkat Pajaro.