CJ Perez could have scored more had it not been for foul trouble in San Miguel’s eventual knockout win over Ginebra in the PBA Philippine Cup semis on Friday.
Head coach Leo Austria said that he would’ve allowed the league’s former three-time scoring king to play for the entirety of Game 6 had he not gotten into trouble, which could’ve led to an even bigger output.
“Alam mo kung hindi siya nag-foul trouble, ipabubuo ko sa kanya yung game eh,” he said after the 101-88 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Nonetheless, it was a night to remember for Perez, who reset his career-high with 41 points. His performance powered their sizzling start and eventually set up a meeting with TNT in the All-Filipino championship, which begins on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old scored 30 points in just the opening period alone, becoming the first player to produce that much in a single quarter since Allan Caidic had 37 on his way to a record 79 in their 162-149 win over the Kings back in 1991.
He also tied Bong Alvarez for second all-time most in any quarter by any local, which the icon set toward 71 points in Alaska’s 169-138 win over Shell in 1990.
(C) PBA Images
With that, the Pangasinan-native has joined those two as the only locals in PBA history to score at least 30 in any quarter. He was also only the sixth overall, including imports, according to records by league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“Nung na-shoot ko ‘yung una, and pangalawa. ‘Yung pangatlo, pang-apat, tinira ko na lang. Tinitira ko na lang talaga at pumapasok,” Perez said when asked at what point he felt that he was bound for a record outing.
“Doon pumasok ‘yung kumpiyansa. And nakikita ko naman sina Coach sa bench talagang tiwalang-tiwala sila — pagtira ko pa lang nakikita ko na ‘yung mukha nila e, hindi nakasimangot eh,” he added with a chuckle.
Perez, inevitably, slowed down in the later quarters due to foul issues. He would only breach the 40-point mark during the dying seconds of the match as his veteran teammates made a conscious effort to locate him.
Perhaps he could’ve gone for 50 — an output that hasn’t been replicated by a local since Arvin Tolentino last season — had fouls not been an issue. But the former no. 1 overall pick couldn’t ask for more.
And he vowed to keep the same aggressiveness in their upcoming title bout with long-time corporate rivals Tropang 5G.
“Kung ipapilit ni Coach, aabutin ko sana,” said Perez, whose previous career-best was 39, which he set during his time with Columbian in 2019.
“Pero I’m still grateful na nakuha ko yung ganitong career-high. But it will not stop here,” he furthered.
“I will continue to play hard.”
