CJ Perez scored 25 points for the San Miguel Beermen, who repulsed the Converge FiberXers, 114-96, on Wednesday at the start of their 2022-23 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal clash at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Perez joined come-backing June Mar Fajardo in putting the Beermen ahead in the first period, 21-13, with both canning in five points. They were hardly threatened from there.
The 29-year-old Perez then had seven points apiece with another returning player Terrence Romeo as the Beermen stayed in control, 55-32, at halftime.
“The jelling of the team is much better now. The best part with Junemar and Terrence back is that everybody is healthy,” said Beermen assistant coach Jorge Gallent.
The 6’2” Perez joined hands with Marcio Lassiter for 14 points as the Beermen took an 88-65 spread at the end of the third.
Fajardo, who sat out seven games after undergoing surgery on his injured throat, made six points in the last six minutes of the third as the Beermen cut loose further, 80-49, with 5:52 left.
This Beermen will have a chance to formalize their semis entry on Saturday if they claim a 2-game sweep of their series with Converge.
Romeo shot 13 points and Lassiter added 11 points, while Simon Enciso only managed eight points and 10 assists before he was ejected for his second technical foul with just a little under seven minutes to go. Peter Atencio