PBA: CJ Perez erupts for career-high 41, tows San Miguel past Barangay Ginebra to Philippine Cup finals

CJ Perez erupted for a career-high 41 points, 30 of which came in the first quarter, to tow San Miguel past Barangay Ginebra, 101-88, on Friday in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Perez shot 17-of-23 from the field, including one four-pointer and four three-pointers, en route to the career performance.

Perez’s 30-point output was the highest ever scored by any player in a first quarter and the most by any player in any quarter in the playoffs. It also tied Bong Alvarez’s 30 points as the second-highest scoring quarter by a local player, achieved during Alvarez’s 71-point game. Allan Caidic holds the record with 37 points in a quarter during his 79-point performance.

Perez also became the third local player in PBA history to score at least 30 points in any quarter, and only the sixth overall, including imports.

However, while Perez and the Beermen dominated the first half, 63-47, and pushed the lead to 19, 68-49, early in the third period, Ginebra managed to claw its way back. Barangay Ginebra outscored San Miguel in the third quarter, 24-16, eventually trimming the lead to four, 83-79, at the 9:19 mark of the final frame.

San Miguel then went on an 11-0 run to pull away with less than four minutes remaining before Norbert Torres drilled a triple to snap Barangay Ginebra’s scoring drought.

Don Trollano’s consecutive triple and layup for the Beermen, sandwiched by a Nards Pinto split, virtually sealed the victory despite late baskets from Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos.

With the win, San Miguel clinched the semifinals series, 4-2, to book a spot in the finals.

Aside from his 41 points, Perez also tallied three assists and one rebound.

"Nung na-shoot ko 'yung una at pangalawa, siguro 'yung pangatlo, pang-apat, parang tinira ko na lang talaga and pumapasok, so doon pumasok ang kumpiyansa," Perez said.

"Nakikita ko sina Coach sa bench, tiwalang-tiwala sila, pagtira ko pa lang, nakikita ko sila hindi nakasimangot."

Despite Perez getting the spotlight, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria credited all his players for stepping up.

Trollano finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block, while June Mar Fajardo, despite being limited to four points, grabbed 18 rebounds and dished out three assists.

"Alam nila na this is money time, so you have to step up. Everybody naman ay nag-contribute. Even 'yung hindi nagagamit, pero sa practice, nai-inspire nila ang starters namin," Austria said.

Thompson led Ginebra with 24 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while Torres and Abarrientos added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

San Miguel will face TNT for the All-Filipino title for the second straight conference.

Scores:

San Miguel 101 – Perez 41, Trollano 23, Ross 8, Tautuaa 8, Fajardo 4, Cruz 4, Brondial 4, Tiongson 3, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3.

Barangay Ginebra 88 – Thompson 24, Torres 13, Abarrientos 12,J.Aguilar 10 Holt 8, Gray 8, David 5, Rosario 3, Pinto 2, Estil 2, Cu 0, R.Aguilar 0.

Quarters: 39-25, 63-47, 79-71, 101-88.

—GMA Integrated News