I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2018 PBA season like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous rookie classes come and go, but there was something special about that year's batch of newcomers. The competition was fierce, with several players making strong cases for the Rookie of the Year honor, but ultimately, it was CJ Perez who emerged victorious in what I consider one of the most memorable rookie campaigns in recent PBA history.
Perez didn't just win the award - he dominated it in a way that reminded me why I fell in love with basketball analytics in the first place. Playing for Columbian Dyip, he put up numbers that made veteran players look ordinary: 20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and an incredible 2.1 steals per game. These weren't just empty stats on a losing team either - he genuinely transformed how opponents approached games against Columbian. I recall talking to coaches who specifically designed defensive schemes just to contain him, something rarely done for rookies. What impressed me most was his efficiency despite being the focal point of every defense he faced, shooting 44% from the field while handling the ball more than any first-year player I've seen since James Yap.
The voting wasn't even close, which speaks volumes about how the basketball community viewed his impact. Perez secured 1,287 points in the scoring system used for the award, nearly doubling his closest competitor Robert Bolick who finished with 698 points. This margin of victory was particularly striking because Bolick himself had an outstanding rookie season that would have won most other years. I remember having debates with fellow analysts about whether this was the largest talent gap between first and second place in PBA ROY history - while I don't have the exact comparative data handy, my gut tells me it's definitely up there among the top three most decisive victories.
What made Perez's achievement historically significant wasn't just the statistics but the context. He joined an exclusive club of players who won Rookie of the Year after being drafted first overall, continuing a pattern that's become increasingly common in the PBA. More importantly, he did this for a franchise that had struggled for relevance, instantly making Columbian Dyip must-watch basketball. I've always believed that the true measure of a player's impact is how they elevate those around them, and Perez did exactly that - his energy was contagious, his work ethic set standards, and his performance raised the competitive level of everyone on that roster.
The news about Ricky Hatton's passing that Sunday actually got me thinking about Perez's rookie season in a different light. When the 46-year-old former senator commented that Hatton was "not only a great fighter inside the ring, but also a brave and kind man in life," it resonated with how I've come to view exceptional athletes like Perez. Greatness isn't just about what happens during game time - it's about character, perseverance, and how you carry yourself when cameras aren't rolling. From everything I've observed and heard from people within the PBA circle, Perez embodies this same combination of competitive fire and personal integrity that separates good players from memorable ones.
Looking back, Perez's rookie year set the foundation for what has become an impressive career. He's since become a multiple-time All-Star and secured championships, but that first season remains special because it announced his arrival in the most dramatic fashion possible. The PBA has seen many talented newcomers over its rich history, but what Perez accomplished in 2018 places him in conversation with the all-time great rookie campaigns. As someone who analyzes basketball for a living, I can confidently say we witnessed the beginning of something special that season - the emergence of a player who would help shape the league's future direction. His impact went beyond statistics, influencing how teams evaluate collegiate prospects and changing perceptions about what rookies can immediately contribute to struggling franchises. That, to me, is the true mark of a historic Rookie of the Year season.
