Perez, who saw action in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, informed her coach Lawrence Ifurung last December that she will no longer join the daily practices of the national squad at the Trace College Aquatics Center in Los Banos.

In a radio interview, Ifurung said yesterday that the 25-year-old Perez is now undergoing training as a newly recruited personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard.

“Nagpaalam na siya sa national diving team noong December. Hindi pa namin alam kung babalik pa siya,” said Ifurung.

According to Ifurung, Perez quit the team because she needed a regular income to support her family in Davao del Sur.

Perez brought honor to the country when she won three gold medals in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games from the 3-meter springboard, the synchronized 3-meter springboard and the 1-meter springboard.

In 2007 in Thailand, Perez retained her crown in the 3-meter springboard event, but settled for the silver in the 1-meter event.

In the 2009 Laos Games, Perez bagged a silver in the 3-m event.

So far, Ifurung said the remaining divers in the team include national team mainstays Zardo Domenios, Jaime Asok, Nino Carog, and another Beijing Olympian Ryan Rexel Fabrega.

But Ifurung said the door is still open for Perez in case she wishes to come back.

Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Today