CJ Perez praised Chris Newsome and Meralco after the the latter seized their first PBA title in the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
San Miguel star CJ Perez couldn’t help but be proud of Chris Newsome as the latter steered Meralco to a breakthrough PBA title even at his team's expense.
Newsome did almost everything for the Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, but his shining moment came in the waning seconds of the 80-78 Game 6 win over the Beermen, where he unloaded the championship-sealing fall-away jumper against Don Trollano.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Chris Newsome drills championship winner as Meralco dethrones San Miguel as Philippine Cup champion]
The Meralco star normed 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the best-of-seven finale, including a 40-point outing in Game 4.
For that, Perez tipped his hat off to his fellow Gilas mainstay, who was also adjudged the Finals Most Valuable Player.
“He’s a good leader. Nilead nya talaga Meralco. Im so proud of him. He deserves the Finals MVP,” he said of Newsome.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Chris Newsome earns Finals MVP honors after leading Meralco to breakthrough title]
Though he was devastated to cede the All-Filipino crown, he went on to praise the entire Meralco organization for getting the job done and seizing its first title since joining the league in 2010.
“Masakit pero ganun talaga basketball e. Di natin massabi kelan ka mananalo, kelan ka matatalo,” he said.
“They deserve it. Talagang pinaghirapan nila. Yung hardwork andun. Talagang gustong gusto nila. Kami, we tried our best naman.”
[ALSO READ: Meralco lifer Cliff Hodge after winning first PBA title: ‘God’s given me everything that I’ve ever wanted’]
But there is gain in every loss.
Perez said he can now focus on the things he needs to work on going forward.
“Madami pa akong weaknesses. Di pa solid laro ko. Madami pa akong kailangan matutunan at trabahuhin,” he said.
“We’ll see next conference. Paghahandaan namin.”
[ALSO READ: ‘Time ng Meralco mag-champion’: Seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo gracious in defeat as Bolts seize breakthrough PBA crown]