CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter have proved time and again that they can deliver when it mattered most.
CJ Perez is not one to shy away from taking the the big shots under the bright lights of a championship match.
Perez did make the game-winning plays on Friday, June 7, as San Miguel pulled off a 95-94 squeaker over Meralco in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals.
The current Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference ended up with a playoff career-high 34 points including five three-pointers, the last of which trimmed the Beermen's four-point deficit to one, 92-93, with 22 seconds left on the clock.
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“Kineep ko lang talaga 'yung composure. Siyempre, sabi ko nga, hindi perfect lagi, eh. Magmintis man ako, titira pa rin ako. May mga nagsasabi nga na buwakaw ako, pero buwakaw talaga ako,” said Perez, who logged a 12-of-28 clip, including 5-for-8 from long range.
“'Yun talaga 'yun. I’m just trying to help my team. Every game, ibinibigay ko talaga 'yung 110 percent ko. Whatever happens, go lang nang go.”
CJ Perez of San Miguel tries to get past Meralco defender Bong Quinto. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon
Perez said he was simply repaying his coaches' trust.
“I’m just doing the right thing sa depensa and offense. Ayokong sirain 'yung trust nila coach. Since day one, talagang nagta-trust sila sa'kin. Pinapalitan ko lang,” he said.
“Sobrang crucial kasi nitong Game 2 na 'to. Ibinigay talaga namin ang 110 percent namin. Hindi siya perfect pero nakuha namin 'yung panalo and makaka-adjust pa kami sa mga mistakes namin.”
Perez's biggest play came with just 13.2 ticks left to play, as he dished out an assist to Marcio Lassiter, who sank what turned out to be the game-winning step back triple against Bong Quinto from the left corner.
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Lassiter finished with only six points but made the biggest basket of the match.
“Credit to CJ for keeping his head up and finding me in the corner. It wouldn't have happened if CJ didn’t see me,” said the sweet-shooting winger.
San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent has never doubted Perez and Lassiter when the going got tough.
“When we need baskets, we’re not hesitant to go to him – him and Marcio. Before the play, when we were down by four, it was either him or Marcio. Kasi we needed a three-point shot. We’re not hesitant to let them shoot the ball, especially coming crunch time,” said Gallent.
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“Marcio has proven himself; CJ has proven himself. Now, they just proved themselves again; that they’re clutch players, that they can shoot the three when it matters the most.”
Marcio Lassiter pumps his fist after nailing his match-winning triple for San Miguel. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon
Game 3 is set on Sunday, June 9, at the same venue.
Match kicks off at 6:15 p.m.