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CJ Perez Goes Cold-Blooded Late, Lifts Beermen to 2-1 Finals Edge
Photo credit: PBA
When it mattered most, CJ Perez wanted the ball — and he made sure the moment belonged to him.
Despite an earlier altercation with his coach, Perez flipped the switch in the fourth quarter and delivered a ruthless finishing stretch, powering San Miguel Beer to a 95–89 win over TNT and a crucial 2–1 lead in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday at the MOA Arena.
With the game hanging in the balance in the final minute, Perez buried back-to-back long-range bombs, first a four-point shot and then a three-pointer, turning a tight contest into a Beermen celebration. The late barrage sealed San Miguel’s second straight victory and put them firmly in the driver’s seat heading into Game 4 on Wednesday, once again in Pasay City.
“I just want to win,” Perez said after the game — words that perfectly summed up his fearless endgame.
Perez caught fire when San Miguel needed it most, exploding for 17 points in the fourth quarter alone after being held to just three points through the first three periods. It was a stunning turnaround that broke TNT’s momentum and swung the Finals back in SMB’s favor.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria revealed that tensions flared earlier in the game but praised Perez for how he responded.
“Early on, we had a small altercation, but things turned out well. He apologized, he refocused, and he showed that he really wanted to prove something,” Austria said.
Austria also made it clear that Perez had full freedom to take the big shots.
“We weren’t actually looking for a four-point shot, but knowing CJ, he wants to win. I’ve never stopped him from shooting anywhere on the court as long as it’s a good shot and the situation calls for it,” he added.
Perez’s seven-point burst capped a 9–0 closing run by San Miguel, answering TNT’s own surge that briefly gave them an 89–86 lead following a 10–0 run sparked by Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, and Henry Galinato.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle of momentum. San Miguel came out blazing behind June Mar Fajardo and Moala Tautuaa, racing to a 33–19 lead. TNT, however, found their rhythm in the second quarter and turned the tables, heading into halftime with a 50–44 advantage.
Oftana and the Tropang 5G maintained control through most of the third period before the Beermen regrouped, setting the stage for a tense, seesaw fourth quarter — and Perez’s unforgettable takeover.
San Miguel’s win followed up their dominant 111–92 Game 2 victory, giving them newfound control of the series.
“There was a lot of guts from our players, especially CJ,” Austria said.
Perez, meanwhile, kept it simple.
“It wasn’t really part of the play, the shots just went in. Thank God they did,” he said.
Supporting Perez’s heroics were strong performances from Don Trollano, who scored 19 points, and June Mar Fajardo, who posted 16 points and a massive 27 rebounds. Mo Tautuaa added 14 points, while Marcio Lassiter chipped in 10, as San Miguel Beer moved one step closer to another Philippine Cup title.
Game 4 awaits — and if this finish was any indication, the Finals are far from over.
Despite an earlier altercation with his coach, Perez flipped the switch in the fourth quarter and delivered a ruthless finishing stretch, powering San Miguel Beer to a 95–89 win over TNT and a crucial 2–1 lead in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday at the MOA Arena.
With the game hanging in the balance in the final minute, Perez buried back-to-back long-range bombs, first a four-point shot and then a three-pointer, turning a tight contest into a Beermen celebration. The late barrage sealed San Miguel’s second straight victory and put them firmly in the driver’s seat heading into Game 4 on Wednesday, once again in Pasay City.
“I just want to win,” Perez said after the game — words that perfectly summed up his fearless endgame.
Perez caught fire when San Miguel needed it most, exploding for 17 points in the fourth quarter alone after being held to just three points through the first three periods. It was a stunning turnaround that broke TNT’s momentum and swung the Finals back in SMB’s favor.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria revealed that tensions flared earlier in the game but praised Perez for how he responded.
“Early on, we had a small altercation, but things turned out well. He apologized, he refocused, and he showed that he really wanted to prove something,” Austria said.
Austria also made it clear that Perez had full freedom to take the big shots.
“We weren’t actually looking for a four-point shot, but knowing CJ, he wants to win. I’ve never stopped him from shooting anywhere on the court as long as it’s a good shot and the situation calls for it,” he added.
Perez’s seven-point burst capped a 9–0 closing run by San Miguel, answering TNT’s own surge that briefly gave them an 89–86 lead following a 10–0 run sparked by Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, and Henry Galinato.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle of momentum. San Miguel came out blazing behind June Mar Fajardo and Moala Tautuaa, racing to a 33–19 lead. TNT, however, found their rhythm in the second quarter and turned the tables, heading into halftime with a 50–44 advantage.
Oftana and the Tropang 5G maintained control through most of the third period before the Beermen regrouped, setting the stage for a tense, seesaw fourth quarter — and Perez’s unforgettable takeover.
San Miguel’s win followed up their dominant 111–92 Game 2 victory, giving them newfound control of the series.
“There was a lot of guts from our players, especially CJ,” Austria said.
Perez, meanwhile, kept it simple.
“It wasn’t really part of the play, the shots just went in. Thank God they did,” he said.
Supporting Perez’s heroics were strong performances from Don Trollano, who scored 19 points, and June Mar Fajardo, who posted 16 points and a massive 27 rebounds. Mo Tautuaa added 14 points, while Marcio Lassiter chipped in 10, as San Miguel Beer moved one step closer to another Philippine Cup title.
Game 4 awaits — and if this finish was any indication, the Finals are far from over.
Jan 26, 2026
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