CJ Perez completed a rare double as he earned Finals MVP honors after helping San Miguel conquer the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The newly-minted BPC was awarded the plaque for his efforts – especially in the title-clinching Game 6.
There, he finished with 28 points to lead the Beermen in a thrilling 104-102 win over Magnolia at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
He finished the series with averages of 18.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 3.2 steals, becoming the first player to win both BPC and Finals MVP titles in the same conference since June Mar Fajardo in the 2022 Philippine Cup.
“Sobrang blessed ako, siyempre,” Perez told reporters amid San Miguel’s celebration on the court at the Big Dome, Wednesday night.
Perez has now won almost every award there is in the PBA. His Finals MVP plum is just the latest addition to a collection that has two championships, one BPC, three scoring titles, and three Mythical Team selections, to name some.
He has achieved glory on the international stage as well, having helped the Philippines win its first Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal in over 60 years following a run to remember in Hangzhou, China just last October.
For the 30-year-old guard, it’s simply about striking while the iron is hot.
“Habang bata pa, binibigay ko talaga ‘yung makakaya ko,” he said.
“And siyempre, minsan lang dumating sa buhay natin ‘yan, kailangan natin i-grab lahat ng opportunity, Sobrang saya. Sobrang saya tonight.”
Perez couldn’t be any more blessed to see all the blood, sweat, and tears he’s been putting in lead to the kind of success he’s enjoying now.
“‘Di naman siya dumating na madali. Ang daming pawis, ang daming sama ng loob ‘yung dumating bago ko nakuha ‘tong mga ‘to,” he said,.
“Sobrang thankful ako kina Coach talaga, na nagtitiwala sila sa akin every time… Na kahit pangit ang laro ko, talagang pinagbibigyan nila ako.”
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