CJ PEREZ keyed a crucial run to help San Miguel overcome Barangay Ginebra, 92-90, on Wednesday and grab the early lead in their PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Perez collected a conference-high 26 points including some important baskets to help the Beermen earn a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-five series as the Gin Kings' faded in the end with a turnover and two offensive rebounds given up to SMB.
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It appeared that Ginebra was on its way to a momentum shift when Scottie Thompson scored on a difficult lay-up and Japeth Aguilar made another basket that put the Gin Kings ahead, 79-73.
But Perez scored the final five points in a 7-0 response that enabled San Miguel to regain the upperhand. He added four more during a stretch that pushed the Beermen lead to 90-85 with 2:35 minutes remaining.
Perez also stepped up in other aspects, grabbing a huge offensive rebound that led to one free throw by June Mar Fajardo, 91-90. In the next possession, Perez again helped SMB regain possession by tipping the ball over to Chris Ross after a Christian Standhardinger miss.
Ross missed two charities but Ginebra couldn’t control the board, leading to another Fajardo free throw, 92-90. The Gin Kings never got another shot off as Thompson turned the ball over on an errant pass to Christian Standhardinger.
“I give all the credit to the players,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent. “When we needed a big stop, I think they stopped them twice. When we had a chance to win, the players delivered.”
Bennie Boatwright had 23 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, while June Mar Fajardo added 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds for San Miguel, which can take a 2-0 advantage on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Standhardinger tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Tony Bishop had 20 points and 11 rebounds, but they couldn’t make the needed stops in the end.
Terrence Romeo didn’t see action for San Miguel due to a sprained ankle.
The scores:
San Miguel 92 – Perez 26, Boatwright 23, Fajardo 18, Trollano 10, Lassiter 7, Cruz 6, Teng 2, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0, Ross 0.
Ginebra 90 – Standhardinger 21, Bishop 20, Thompson 15, Malonzo 13, Pringle 9, Ahanmisi 6, Aguilar 6, Tenorio 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarters: 28-20; 47-47; 73-73; 92-90
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