CJAY Perez had a playoff career-high last Friday in San Miguel’s important Game 5 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals.
Perez had 31 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field in the Beermen’s 103-92 win that turned out to be the best production in his playoff career, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
READ: SMB sends Ginebra to the brink of elimination with Game 5 win
Even better for SMB, it came at a time when eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo isn’t at full-strength due to a calf injury.
Because of Fajardo’s injury, Perez has been given a much-larger role offensively. He is now averaging a shade over 18 points in the semifinals.
“Actually, tina-try ko lang talaga ‘yung kung ano ‘yung usual na ginagawa namin,” said Perez. “Malaking bagay na hindi 100-percent si kuya June. Binigay naman sa akin ‘yung tiwala nila coach na kaya ko igalaw ‘yung offense kahit na wala si kuya June, kahit hindi siya 100-percent.”
Resbak kay CJ
Alongside his scoring explosion, Perez got help in Game 5 from Jericho Cruz, who also produced in bunches after finishing with 27 points.
“Ganda ng nilaro ni Jericho. I think ‘yun naman ‘yung na-adjust nila coach. Binigyan nila ng trust, binigyan nila ng minutes si Jericho. Napapakita naman niya na kaya,” said Perez, whose scoring ways more than made up for a 12-point first quarter for San Miguel.
With Perez’s performance, the Beermen claimed back-to-back victories for the first time in the semifinal series to also grab a 3-2 lead over the Gin Kings. They can capture a finals seat on Sunday with a victory at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Winning back-to-back playoff games anew felt like an eternity for SMB. The last time it did so was in the 2024 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals when it took the first two games of a best-of-five affair against Converge.
“Parang sobrang tagal na,” said Perez, on winning back-to-back games in the playoffs. “Naka-back to back din kami. ‘Yun din ‘yung sabi ni Chris Ross eh. Try naman natin manalo ng back-to-back.”
Now, San Miguel will try to win three in a row in the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 Philippine Cup playoffs when it swept Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven semifinals.
“Mahirap ngayon (Game 5), mas mahirap sa susunod na game,” added Perez on the prospects of winning three straight against Ginebra.
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