Cjay Perez made the most of his minutes to aid San Miguel Beermen in getting a twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Cjay Perez has been in the PBA long enough to know not to take Terrafirma lightly.
Perez did just that in San Miguel’s 135-115 win over the Dyip in the Season 50 Philippine Cup Wednesday, Dec. 17.
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The Predator ran amok in the third quarter, dropping 17 of his 26 points there as the Beermen pounced on their helpless prey.
He also had six rebounds, an assist and a steal in less than 21 minutes of play for SMB, which secured a twice-to-beat advantage as it rose to a share of the top spot with Rain or Shine with their identical 8-2 records.
“Hindi namin [dapat] i-underestimate [ang Terrafirma]. Nahihirapan din kami. Coming into the third quarter, inayos namin ang defense and offense namin,” said Perez.
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Jericho Cruz also came up big for the Beermen with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Jeron Teng had 15 markers, including 11 in the second period.
June Mar Fajardo posted his second career triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
“We have to work hard because a lot of teams are really hard to beat,” said SMB coach Leo Austria.
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The Beermen trailed 18-26 at the end of the opening quarter before outgunning the Dyip, 34-20, in the next.
While San Miguel is playoff-bound, the Dyip wrapped up the elimination round with a woeful 1-10 record.
Maverick Ahanmisi paced Terrafirma with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks, but his all-around efforts went for naught.
Paolo Hernandez added 19 markers, three boards and five assists.
San Miguel vs. Terrafirma Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 135 – Perez 26, Cruz 17, Teng 15, Trollano 14, Tautuaa 12, Calma 11, Fajardo 10, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 6, Miller 4, Cahilig 3, Mantua 2, Brondial 2, Ross 1
TERRAFIRMA 115 –M.Ahanmisi 20, Hernandez 19, J.Ahanmisi 16, Sangalang 14, Nonoy 11, Olivario 9, Zaldivar 8, Bravo 6, Rivero 6, Mariano 6, Eriobu 0, Catapusan 0, Paraiso 0
Quarterscores: 18-26, 52-46, 95-80, 135-115
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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.