Enoch Valdez has been drawing a lot of comparisons with CJ Perez, but the 6-foot-2 cager said he wants to carve his own name in the industry.
"Malayo pa eh. Iba yung CJ Perez eh," said Valdez following a 109-all draw between Team Heroes and Team Saints in the GMA NCAA All-Star Basketball game on Sunday.
"Pero idol ng lahat 'yun pero malay mo makagawa rin ako ng hindi CJ Perez, kahit maka-Enoch Valdez na pangalan."
Valdez said he's very close to Perez, who currently plays in the PBA with San Miguel.
Both from Lyceum of the Philippines University, Valdez played alongside Perez when the Pirates reached the finals of Season 94, where they fell to eventual champions San Beda University in two games.
With Perez graduating following that run, the two remained in close contact, with Perez providing guidance for Valdez whenever LPU competed. Perez was also present when Lyceum played its last game last season against Mapua University.
"Close kami talaga, siya 'yung nag-guide sa akin. Naabutan ko siya nung Season 94, nung nag-Finals kami," added Valdez.
"Lagi niya lang akong gina-guide. Naguusap lang kami 'pag may laro kami. Para kaming magkapatid, lagi kaming magkasama nung magkasama pa kami sa Lyceum."
Valdez even shared that several of his basketball shoes were gifted to him by Perez, the 2017 NCAA MVP and the 2018 PBA top overall pick.
"Araw-araw kami magkasama kasi pareho kaming Ilokano eh. Parehas kaming walang tatay so parang kapatid talaga yung turing niya sa akin," he added.
"'Yung mga sapatos ko nga, lahat bigay niya eh, swerte ko ka-size ko siya."
—JMB, GMA News
