Cjay Perez was at the forefront of San Miguel’s attack as it blazed to a sixth straight win against TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
From college to the pros, Cjay Perez has made a living out of attacking the basket with reckless abandon.
But the San Miguel star is slowly reinventing his game, adding a reliable outside sniping to an already lethal skillset that allowed him to win various awards, like the PBA Scoring Champion and Best Player of the Conference.
That was none more evident in the Beermen’s 110-95 win over TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Friday night, Dec. 5.
Perez fired a couple of triples and a four-pointer on his way to a new conference-high 33 points he embellished with two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
“Habang tumatagal, 'yon din ang pinapraktis ko kasi they know na I’m always going to drive,” said Perez during the post-game presser at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
But the 32-year-old still found this new side of his game wanting.
“I think it's not that consistent pero I’m still doing my best to be consistent sa outside shots,” Perez added.
SMB sticks to the plan vs TNT
The Beermen banked on Perez in the third period where he dropped 17 points to flip the script on the Tropang 5G.
The second unit took charge in the fourth period, where SMB led by as many as 27 points, 88-61.
June Mar Fajardo backstopped Perez with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz and Jeron Teng combined for 33 points.
“We’re just doing our game plan. Defense talaga ang nagpalayo sa’min. We’re just sharing the ball. Kung sino ang mainit, we’re giving them the ball. 'Yong trust ng teammates ko, talagang ibinibigay din nila sa'kin,” said Perez.
Jordan Heading heated up early for TNT, churning out 18 points in the first half, but went scoreless from there.
Calvin Oftana scored 16 and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, 11, for the Tropang 5G, who were ahead 44-30 before sputtering late in the second period.
San Miguel vs. TNT Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 110 – Perez 33, Fajardo 13, Trollano 12, Cruz 11, Teng 10, Rosales 8, Brondial 7, Calma 6, Lassiter 4, Mantua 3, Tiongson 2, Tautuaa 1, Ross 0, Miller 0, Cahilig 0
TNT 95 – Heading 18, Oftana 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 11, Galinato 9, Ferrer 7, Nambatac 6, Aurin 6, Khobuntin 5, Jalalon 5, Enciso 5, Nieto 4, Williams 3, Erram 0, Hill 0
Quarterscores: 23-20, 43-47, 82-61, 110-95
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.