PBA: CJ Perez sizzles from deep as San Miguel silences surging Converge

CJ Perez dropped his best game so far in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup, steering San Miguel to a 128-122 win over previously unbeaten Converge on Wednesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

The seasoned guard erupted from downtown after finishing with 31 points, including three triples and a four-point shot, to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and a steal as the Beermen surged to a 3-0 start to tie NLEX atop Group A.

George King was also huge for San Miguel as the import detonated for 41 markers, 11 boards, four dimes, and three steals while Marcio Lassiter tallied 18 points on 3-of-5 from the three-point area.

"We just stayed composed talaga. Nagkanya-kanya kami and nawala 'yung rhythm namin so we just figured it out and George kept attacking the basket so we're lucky na nashu-shoot namin," Perez said.

"Lalo na ako. I'm impressed sa sarili na naka-shoot ako ng gano'n."

San Miguel saw its early 17-point lead trimmed to just one by halftime as Converge erupted in the second quarter behind Justin Arana, Mikey Williams, and Jalen Hudson to close the gap to 61-60.

Perez caught fire late in the third quarter, drilling back-to-back triples to restore San Miguel's cushion. Alec Stockton answered with a three-pointer but Perez responded as well on the other side, banking in a contested four-pointer over Stockton at the buzzer to give the Beermen a 102-91 lead entering the fourth.

King took over in the payoff period by nailing his own four-point shot to send San Miguel to a 113-98 cushion before Perez completed a three-point play to make it a 123-110 separation in the final 3:45.

Arana, who dropped 39 points against Macau and 31 against Terrafirma, continued his fine showing in the conference after dropping 29 points this time while his fellow big man Justine Baltazar posted a double-double effort of 16 markers and12 rebounds.

Scores:

San Miguel 128 – King 41, Perez 31, Lassiter 18, Trollano 11, Fajardo 10, Brondial 6, Hernandez 6, Ahanmisi 5, Cruz 0, Tautuaa 0.

Converge 122 – Arana 29, Baltazar 16, Hudson 15, Stockton 14, Gomez de Liano 12, Williams 12, Abueva 10, Concepcion 8, Policarpio 6, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 30-23, 61-60, 102-91, 128-122.

—JKC, GMA News