CJ Perez was definitely a major key in the Columbian Dyip’s stunner of the San Miguel Beermen, Sunday evening.
The rookie out of Lyceum finished with 34 points — five points shy of his PBA career-high — on top of eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals to help his side to a 134-132 win over the Beermen in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
Perez’s final two points came with 12.7 seconds left to play, where he drove past Chris Ross from the top of the key and laid it in all over the defense of Arwind Santos and Charles Rhodes to strike the dagger right into SMB’s chest.
“Yung trust ni coach (Johnedel Cardel), sabi sa’kin kunin ko bola, so yung tiwala ni coach kailangan suklian ko ng magandang laro or effort kasi iba trust niya sa’kin,” said Perez of his excellent play.
“Give and take lang kami.“
The Dyip have continued their mastery of the Beermen this season following the big win, since Columbian also shocked the mighty San Miguel back in their Philippine Cup encounter last January 18 through a 124-118 decision.
For Perez, wins such as this one is a big boost to their goal of building a winning culture for the young franchise.
“Big win para sa Columbian Dyip dahil gusto namin i-build yung winning culture sa team, kasi yun ang kulang sa team namin,” said the 25-year-old.
“Yun, magandang effort binigay namin ngayon, siyempre happy para sa team.”
Columbian improved to 2-6 after Sunday. But for Perez, there’s no room for satisfaction for him as they now gear up for their last three games, where they will go up against NorthPort Batang Pier, Phoenix Pulse, and Barangay Ginebra.
“‘Di ako pwedeng ma-satisfy sa nilaro ko, may tatlong games pa kami. Sana may maibigay pa ako at mai-push.”
