Thanks in large part to Cjay Perez, San Miguel gained a 2-1 lead over TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
Cjay Perez needed just seven points in less than 30 seconds to make the biggest impact Sunday night, Jan. 25.
Those seven points — a booming four and a three-pointer — allowed San Miguel to hack out a 95-89 win over TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Struggling for most of the game, Perez dropped 17 of his 20 points in the fourth period to give the Beermen the 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
He also had five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
“Ginawa ko lang kung anong makakaya kong gawin. Nag-struggle ako sa first half [pero] hindi nawala ang trust ng mga coaches sa’kin. Nag-respond lang ako sa trust na ibinibigay ng coaches sa'kin,” said Perez.
Cjay Perez celebrates with San Miguel teammate Jericho Cruz after nailing the go-ahead four-point shot late in Game 3 of the PBA Finals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Down three inside the final minute, 86-89, as Henry Galinato slammed it home for TNT, Perez retaliated with a stepback four against the Tropang 5G big.
He then drilled in a trey against Calvin Oftana to snatch a 93-89 advantage for San Miguel with 12.4 ticks remaining.
Marcio Lassiter canned the two free throws that sealed the match.
Don Trollano backstopped Perez with 19 points, while June Mar Fajardo posted 16 markers and 27 boards for a double-double. The SMB behemoth also tallied three assists and three blocks.
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Ice in the Predator's veins
Asked about his clutch shots, Perez admitted they were both Hail Marys.
“Nagulat din ako noong pumasok 'yong four points. Talagang sobrang pasalamat na lang ako kay Lord kasi pumasok. Wala na akong choice noon kung hindi tumira,” Perez said.
The San Miguel faithful celebrate Cjay Perez's four-pointer. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Before Perez's late-game exploits for SMB, Rey Nambatac put the Tropang 5G in prime position to win after being down by as many as 17 points in the opening period.
He dropped five points in a searing 10-0 rally capped by Galinato's emphatic two-handed flush off a pick-and-roll play with Jordan Heading for an 89-86 lead with 50 ticks remaining.
But that would be the last time TNT made a field goal.
Calvin Oftana paced TNT with 25 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three while Heading flirted with a triple-double with his 15 markers, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser registered 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, while Nambatac scored 12.
Game 4 is set Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the same venue.
San Miguel vs. TNT Scores:
San Miguel 95 – Perez 20, Trollano 19, Fajardo 16, Tautuaa 14, Lassiter 10, Cruz 8, Brondial 4, Teng 4, Tiongson 0, Ross 0
TNT 89 – Oftana 25, Heading 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Nambatac 12, Galinato 6, Khobuntin 5, Erram 4, Pogoy 4, Enciso 3, Williams 0, Jalalon 0
Quarterscores: 33-19, 44-50, 67-72, 95-89
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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.