CJ PEREZ remained confident tbat Lyceum can bounce back and level the finals series against San Beda despite the Pirates suffering their first-ever loss at the worse time in NCAA Season 93.
LPU lost for the first time this year after dropping a 94-87 decision against San Beda in Game One of the best-of-three championship series. The loss also came on the day Perez was awarded with the MVP trophy.
Perez felt the long break had no impact on the Game One defeat.
“Nasa utak namin na kailangan namin bumawi,” Perez said. “Lalaruin pa rin namin ‘yung makakaya namin. Actually walang nagbago sa amin. At least ginawa namin ‘yung best namin.”
The 23-year-old Perez still posted impressive numbers despite the loss as he finished with 25 points and eight rebounds on Friday. He also hit a triple that tied the game at 72 early in the fourth.
The game was deadlocked again at 80 on a basket by Jaycee Marcelino, but Robert Bolick strung up eight straight points to pull away in the match.
Perez said San Beda was the better team in Game One as the Red Lions played at a very high level in coming back from a 12-point deficit to win the series opener.
“Sobrang saya namin na nakapaglaro kami dito. ‘Yung performance namin kanina, siguro kailangan pa naming dagdagan. Sabi nga ni coach, sila (San Beda) ‘yung pinakamaganda ang linaro ngayon. We need to bounce back,” said Perez.
Game Two is scheduled next Thursday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“Same mentality, kailangan talaga naming bumawi,” said Perez.
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