San Miguel got a huge boost from Cjay Perez early and the Beermen marched on to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
Cjay Perez knew it was going to be his night by the time he made his second consecutive layup almost three minutes into San Miguel's Game 6 duel with Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Friday night, Jan. 16.
That turned out to be true as Perez logged a historic career game in the Beermen's 101-88 Finals-clinching win over the Gin Kings.
Perez dropped 30 points in the first quarter — the most points scored by any player, local or import, in an opening period — to bamboozle the Gin Kings.
He did that behind a 12-for-12 scoring from the field, which turned out to be the best perfect clip in a quarter by any player in the league.
“Noong na-shoot ko 'yong una and pangalawa, tapos pangatlo, pang-apat na, parang tinira ko na lang talaga. Doon pumasok 'yong kumpyansa,” Perez said after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“Nakikita ko naman sina coach, talagang tiwalang-tiwala sila. Pagtira ko pa lang, nakikita ko na ang mga mukha nila. Hindi nakasimangot,” Perez added.
His early onslaught allowed the Beermen to post a lead as big as 17 points, 39-22.
Perez went on to finish with 41 points on 17-for-23 shooting. He also had a rebound and three assists against three turnovers.
While Perez set the tone, it was Don Trollano who put the finishing touches for SMB with his 11 points in the fourth period.
The Gin Kings got as close as four points early in the said frame, but the Beermen restored order with a searing 11-to-nothing retaliation.
Trollano wound up with 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Scottie Thompson paced Ginebra with 24 markers, nine boards, three dimes and a steal.
Norbert Torres shot three triples on his way to 13 points, while RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar scored 12 and 10, respectively.
San Miguel vs. Ginebra Scores:
San Miguel 101 – Perez 41, Trollano 23, Ross 8, Tautuaa 8, Fajardo 4, Cruz 4, Brondial 4, Tiongson 3, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3
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
Quarterscores: 39-25, 63-47, 79-71, 101-88
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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.