MONTALBAN – CJ Perez played his best game so far in PBA Season 50 after leading San Miguel to a 41-point blowout of Titan Ultra Wednesday night at the Ynares Center.
The 31-year-old guard spearheaded the defending Philippine Cup champions’ sizzling start by knocking 24 of his game-high 26 points in a runaway 158-117 win.
READ: Rampant SMB stretches win run to five, deals Titan a 41-point loss
Perez was 3-of-4 from four-point rage, 2-of-4 from the three-point line, and 8-of-14 overall from the field in an impressive shooting that belied the ankle injury he suffered with Gilas Pilipinas during the Asia Cup that eventually restricted his playing minutes early in the conference.
He also added two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the Beermen’s fifth straight win for a 5-2 overall record.
Perez, though, disclosed he’s yet fully recovered from the injury he sustained in the Philippines’ 95-88 overtime win over Saudi Arabia last August.
“Hindi pa naman sobrang 100 percent yung recovery ko from the injury, pero malapit na siya,” he said afterwards.
Perez’ high-scoring first half eventually rubbed off on the rest of his San Miguel teammates as Jericho Cruz added 24 points, Don Trollano chipped 20, Jeron Teng contributed 15, while nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo registered his first career triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Cruz was almost perfect from the field by going 8-of-9 from the field for San Miguel, which also got double figures in scoring from Andreas Cahilig (11), Mo Tautuaa (10), and Kris Rosales (10).
Despite leading right from the get-go, the Beermen never wavered despite repeated rallies by the Giant Risers in the first half, eventually tallying their biggest lead at 91-41 in the third quarter.
“Kahit malaki na yung lamang, focus pa rin kami, we’re honoring the game. Sa basketball kasi hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari,” said the 6-foot-2 Perez, a member of the Mythical First Team in Season 49.
“Kaya hangga’t hindi pa tapos yung game, nilalaro pa rin namin yung best namin.”
The lopsided win is a fitting sendoff for San Miguel heading to the three-week break as the PBA gives was to the campaign of Gilas Pilipinas to the opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The Beermen won’t return to action until Dec. 5 when they tangle with league-leader TNT Tropang 5G in a marquee matchup.
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