CJ Perez shone as the San Miguel Beermen stayed unbeaten in three games against the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Sunday, March 31.
San Miguel took some semblance of control in the third period before repulsing Phoenix, 116-102, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Sunday, March 31.
The Beermen, who led by 17 points halfway through the third period on Jericho Cruz’s three-point play, cruised to their third straight win to stay atop the heap.
The Fuel Masters did put up some resistance but could only do so much as they absorbed their fourth loss in five games.
CJ Perez was at the forefront of San Miguel's attack, battering Phoenix on all fronts to end up with a season-high 32 points he topped with four rebounds, five assists and two steals.
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“Medyo nag-he-hesitate ako talaga. Kasi mas nakukuha ko 'yung rhythm ko 'pag umaatake ako. Pero sabi nga ni coach (Jorge Gallent), just be confident na itira 'yung threes,” said Perez.
And that's what Perez did.
Perez nailed a game-high four treys, including one with 59 seconds remaining that put the finishing touches to the victory.
As usual, Beermen coach Jorge Gallent was no longer surprised with his prized ward’s stellar showing.
“CJ is a guy that always does his skill work in practice. He comes early. He shoots early. After practice he stays, and he shoots. What I'm saying is, he's developing his three-point shot, which we're very happy about,” he said.
“Definitely, he's a slasher – he's quick, he's everything. But the only thing he needs is confidence in his three-point shot which is here already. He's going to be a hard guy to stop.”
Perez was not the lone star of the show as he got plenty of help from his teammates.
Jericho Cruz added 17 points, including four straight with under three minutes remaining to regain order, 108-96, after the Fuel Masters cut the Beermen's lead down to eight on Kenneth Tuffin’s triple.
Terrence Romeo finished with 16 points while June Mar Fajardo posted 13 points and 12 boards that went with three assists for San Miguel.
Meanwhile, Matthew Daves and JJ Alejandro paced Phoenix with 13 points apiece. Javee Mocon chipped in 12 points while Jason Perkins had 11 markers and the same number of boards.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 116 – Perez 32, Cruz 17, Romeo 16, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Lassiter 6, Brondial 6, manuel 4, Enciso 3, Teng 1, Ross 0.
PHOENIX 102 – Alejandro 13, Daves 13, Mocon 12, Perkins 11, Salado 10, Rivero 10, Tuffin 9, Muyang 6, Jazul 5, Verano 5, Manganti 4, Camaco 2, Lalata 2, Garcia 0.
Quarterscores: 27-23, 49-45, 86-75, 116-102