CJ PEREZ made no effort to hide his frustrations over the calls that left him to play most of Game One of the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup finals in foul trouble.
Perez was saddled with four fouls right in the first half of the Beermen’s 93-86 loss to Meralco in the series opener, although he was still able to finish with 20 points and seven rebounds.
“Malaking epekto ‘yun,” said Perez of his foul woes. “Finals ngayon eh, hindi dapat matatawagan ‘yung mga ganun kaninipis na foul. Nothing against the ano (referees) naman, pero siyempre, finals ito, kailangan naming dumepensa ng maayos. Malaking bagay din na nawala ako, nagkaroon ako ng apat na fouls.”
Perez was slapped with an offensive foul after a successful challenge by Meralco on a blocking foul called on Meralco bruiser Cliff Hodge after he stepped into the path of the San Miguel star while driving to the basket.
Perez was puzzled about the call.
“Hindi ko rin alam kung paano anuhin ‘yung sa referee. Kung successful ‘yung challenge nila, I think that’s a jumpball but tumawag ng offensive. Pero tapos na ‘yun. Focus na kami sa Game Two. Mahaba-haba pa ‘yung series, makakapag-prepare kami ng maayos,” said Perez.
Perez admitted they also shot themselves in the foot with their poor play in Game One, citing Cliff Hodge’s rebounds late in the fourth quarter as one of the reasons for their defeat.
“Dami naming turnovers. We were not moving the ball well. Sa energy and offensive rebounds, doon kami natalo. Cliff, may siyam na offensive rebounds, malaki ‘yun. Kaya kailangang i-match namin ‘yung energy,” said Perez.
The Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP winner isn’t blaming rust for the defeat.
“I think hindi naman sa kalawang. Hindi kami naglaro talaga ng buo. Hindi ‘yun ‘yung San Miguel basketball. Meron kaming 18 assists yata. Kailangan naming i-adjust ‘yung laro namin at kailangan namin i-distribute ng maayos ‘yung bola,” said Perez.
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