CJay Perez found his form just in time to right the ship for the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday, Jan. 12.
CJay Perez could not have picked a better time to explode for San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Struggling on offense for most of the conference, Perez turned it up in the Beermen's rousing 85-78 win over Magnolia at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Jan. 12.
Perez was specifically exceptional in the final four minutes, where he unloaded eight points including two booming triples to help SMB trim a five-point deficit.
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His second triple with only 25.2 left in the match prove to be the dagger as the Beermen checked a two-game skid and improved to 4-4.
His stellar night featured 23 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and four steals.
After the match, the Predator said he was simply repaying his coaches’ trust.
“Nag-struggle ako this conference pero nakikita kong hindi nawawala ang trust nila coach sa'kin,” he said. “It’s on me kung paano ako mag-re-respond sa trust na ibinibigay nila coach.”
Marcio Lassiter also came up big in the final two minutes, first by uncorking a triple as the shot clock expired off a broken play.
A minute later, the PBA’s greatest three-point sniper nailed another that pushed San Miguel’s lead to four, 80-76.
Mark Barroca responded with a quick two for the Hotshots, but Perez and June Mar Fajardo went on to seal the fate of the win-starved Beermen.
“I’m just happy we got the win. Hindi kami nakapag-execute pero composed lang kami sa offense at nag-trust lang kami sa isa’t-isa,” said Perez.
This put to waste Ricardo Ratliffe’s 24-point and 15-rebound game as Magnolia failed to follow up on its impressive win against Terrafirma last Friday, Jan. 10.
Thus, the playoff window continues to shrink for the Hotshots, who now hold a 3-6 card.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 85 – Perez 23, Narcis 18, Tiongson 13, Fajardo 13, Cruz 10, Lassiter 8, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Trollano 0, Cahilig 0.
MAGNOLIA 78 – Ratliffe 24, Barroca 13, Lucero 9, Lasimosa 9, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 4, Abueva 4, Alfaro 4, Ahanmisi 3, Balanza 2, Dionisio 0, Laput 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 40-29, 60-60, 85-78