Ex-PBA Player Tristan Perez Now Works as a Truck Driver in Canada

Meet Tristan Perez, from PBA cager to truck driver

TRISTAN PEREZ – A former PBA player is now working as a truck driver in Alberta, Canada.

Tristan started his basketball career after playing during his collegiate years at National University (N.U.) Bulldogs that earned the championship in 2014 via UAAP men’s basketball.

In his amateur career, he played for BDO-NU and Jumbo Plastic at the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) D-League.

He became a professional basketball player and became part of Blackwater Elite in the PBA in 2016.

However, after a year, he decided to leave his PBA career and later follow his wife in Canada.

Tristan, his wife Jhameel Pineda, and their two children are now living in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

He works as a driver of a 26-wheeler truck transporting petroleum to companies.

Tristan Perez did not regret leaving his basketball career for his family.

“Mas pinili naming mag-Canada kasi andami ngang benefits na mabibigay sa future ng [mga] anak ko. Kumbaga, less worry lang sa future,” he said.

Before working as a truck driver, he once worked as a laborer and mechanic.

In an interview with his employer, he’s honest to say he didn’t know a job, but he said he’s willing to learn.

The good thing in Canada is that they are given training before being put to work. On the other hand, the company shoulders training.

Tristan Perez has been a truck driver for three years, while his wife is a school bus driver. Tristan said he likes what he does, even though it’s far from his former profession as a basketball player.