Cjay Perez and Jericho Cruz proved instrumental in San Miguel’s championship-clinching Game 6 win over TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
There is probably no better bounce-back game than the one Cjay Perez had Friday night, July 25.
Misfiring for most of the series, Perez finally hit his mark in San Miguel’s title-clinching 107-96 win in Game 6 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
The Predator made up for a woeful five-point outing in Game 5 with 24 points, including two four-pointers on top of three rebounds, six assists and a steal.
[ALSO READ: San Miguel crushes TNT's Grand Slam dream in Game 6, hoists PBA Philippine Cup trophy]
He credited SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua in bringing out the best in him right when it mattered.
“It has been three games na struggling ako. Dala siguro ng stress, frustrations,” Perez said.
“Pero sinabihan ako ni Boss Al na darating 'yan. Blessed na dumating 'yong magandang laro ko.”
His breakout game this series could not have come at a better time as he helped the Beermen hoist the franchise’s record-extending 30th championship and denied TNT a Grand Slam.
But while he stole the spotlight in Game 4, it was Jericho Cruz who was adjudged PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player.
Cruz, who finished with 23 and 20 points in Games 4 and 5, respectively, said the same about Chua.
“Si Boss Al 'yong nagbuhay sa'kin sa Finals na 'to. Every game, nandiyan siya palagi sa tabi, palagi niya akong mino-motivate,” said Cruz, who wound up with 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal.
San Miguel celebrates its 11th Philippine Cup title and 30th overall in the PBA. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
June Mar Fajardo also imposed his might in the paint with 23 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Don Trollano, Mo Tautuaa, Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter combined for 43 points.
What looked like a nip-and-tuck contest turned into a clinic after the Beermen outgunned the Tropang 5G, 34-20, in the third period to seize control.
Mo Tautuaa’s left hook with 5:12 gave the Beermen a 76-58 lead that later spread to 20 points.
With all that was left of their will, the Tropang 5G tried to stage an uprising and managed to trim the deficit to 13 on Almond Vosotros’ back-to-back baskets entering the final six minutes, 94-81.
But off a timeout, San Miguel quickly restored order on a quick 6-0 run ignited by Lassiter’s three-pointer.
It was all San Miguel from there.
Calvin Oftana came up big with 19 points on three triples in an effort that went down the drain. He also had four rebounds, three assists and four steals.
Kelly Williams turned in 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 15 points while Jordan Heading added 13 points.
San Miguel vs. TNT scores:
SAN MIGUEL – Fajardo 24, Perez 24, Cruz 13, Trollano 12, Tautuaa 10, Ross 9, Lassiter 7, Brondial 4, Tiongson 4, Teng 0.
TNT – Oftana 19, Williams 17, Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Heading 13, Vosotros 13, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 5, Aurin 2, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 52-47, 86-76, 107-96.