FOR CJ Perez, it was coach Leo Austria’s trust in him that helped him push the San Miguel Beermen to a 2-1 lead in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Philippine Cup best-of-7 finals.
This mattered a lot when he unloaded 17 of his 20 points in the last period to lift the San Miguel Beermen past the TNT Tropang 5G, 95-89, in Game 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Sunday night.
“Ginawa ko lang ‘yung makakaya kong gawin. Nag-respond lang ako sa kung ano ‘yung binibigay sa akin na trust ng mga coaches,” said Perez.
A former Finals’ MVP, Perez finished with 20 points, 17 of which he produced in the final frame alone, to go with nine points in the last 12 seconds, to put the Beermen on top, 93-89.
Don Trollano made 19, while June Mar Fajardo knocked in 16 points, to go with a monster 27-rebound output.
“That’s why nu’ng pataas pa lang ‘yung bola, palagay ko papasok ito. Nakinig ‘yung nasa itaas natin. I’m so happy with his (Perez’s) guts,” said Austria.
San Miguel Beer earlier posted 111-92 triumph in Game 2, to equalize the series at 1-all.
The Beermen, behind Fajardo and Moala Tautuaa, seized control early, 33-19, before the Tropang 5G found their rhythm in the second period to move away ahead, 50-44, at halftime.
“Nakita niyo naman kanina, talagang ayaw patalo. That’s the kind of player we want to have, especially in this kind of championship,” added Austria.
The Beermen seek to gain a 3-1 lead when they take on the Tropang 5G anew in Game 5 on Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
