(PBA image)
CJ Perez is peaking at exactly the right time.
Heading into the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, the San Miguel Beermen guard is riding a scorching stretch capped by a historic closeout performance in Game 6 against Barangay Ginebra. Perez detonated for 41 points in San Miguel’s 101–88 win, including a jaw-dropping 30 points in the opening quarter, to punch the Beermen’s ticket to a finals rematch with TNT Tropang 5G.
That explosive night earned Perez the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for January 14 to 16, a unanimous nod from reporters covering the league.
Perez’s first-quarter barrage placed him in rare company. His 30-point outburst tied longtime scoring mark-holder Bong Alvarez for the second-most points ever scored in a single quarter. Alvarez achieved the feat during his legendary 71-point game for Alaska against Shell back in 1990.
What made Perez’s eruption even more remarkable was its efficiency. He went a flawless 12-of-12 from the field in the opening period, instantly shifting the momentum and setting the tone for San Miguel’s series-clinching victory.
Across the citation period, Perez averaged 30.5 points on an ultra-efficient 64 percent shooting, edging out fellow standouts Don Trollano and Jordan Heading for the weekly honor.
“Nung na-shoot ko yung una, pangalawa, pangatlo, pag-apat, parang tinira ko na lang, pumapasok. Doon pumasok yung kumpiyansa,” Perez said. “Nakikita ko naman sila coach sa bench, talagang tiwalang-tiwala. Pag tira ko pa lang, kita ko sa mukha nila na kampante sila.”
With confidence sky-high and form razor-sharp, Perez now turns his focus to the Finals, where he will try to add a fourth PBA championship to his résumé as San Miguel renews its rivalry with TNT on the league’s biggest stage.