Latest news with #CJPerez
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
CJ Perez dedicates PBA Philippine Cup Finals stint to young dreamers
San Miguel's PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals run means more than basketball for CJ Perez. The flashy guard said he's dedicating his and his Beermen's return to the championship round to young basketball aspirants especially those who struggle to chase opportunities in Manila because of a lack of resources, like he once did. "Dine-dedicate ko 'tong finals na 'to para sa mga batang nangangarap kagaya ko, 'yung mga galing probinsya na mga takot pumunta dito sa Maynila kasi natatakot silang walang matirhan or hindi sila makuha," Perez said during the finals press conference on Friday. "'Yun 'yung isang inspiration ko na may mga players from other provinces na walang budget pumunta dito, hindi nila alam kung paano sila maguumpisa, 'yun 'yung isang inspiration ko." "I dedicate these finals to the kids who dream like me, those from the provinces that are scared to come here to Manila because they are scared that they won't have a place to live or that they wouldn't earn a spot... That's one of my inspirations, the players from other provinces who don't have the budget to come here, they don't know where to even start, that's one of my inspirations.] Perez is marching on to his fourth PBA finals and chasing a potential third title with the franchise. The former NCAA MVP first tasted a finals appearance back in the 2022 Philippine Cup, when the Beermen went all the way winning the title against, incidentally, TNT. In Season 48, they made the finals twice but had contrasting results after ruling the Commissioner's Cup against Magnolia and bowing to Meralco in the Philippine Cup finals that allowed the Bolts to capture their breakthrough crown in history. It was a tough ride for San Miguel in the ongoing Season 49 as they failed to make the Governors' Cup finals before missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years in the Commissioner's Cup. But behind Perez and other core members of the Beermen, San Miguel is now back in familiar territory as they take on the Tropang 5G in the Philippine Cup finals. And just being on this big stage is already an honor for Perez, as he hopes to inspire the younger generation in their pursuit of a basketball dream. "Being in the finals and playing basketball, 'yung nilalaro mo 'yung mahal mo, it's an honor," the 31-year-old Perez said. [Being in the finals and playing basketball, playing the game you love, it's an honor.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
CJ Perez, Jericho Cruz power San Miguel past Barangay Ginebra for 3-2 semis lead
PBA Philippine Cup. July 4, 2025. CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz of the San Miguel Beermen against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. (Photos: PBA Media) CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz powered San Miguel past Barangay Ginebra, 103-92, to take a pivotal 3-2 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Perez had 31 points, while Cruz had 27 points to lead the Beermen. Game 6 of the semis will be played on Sunday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
San Miguel survives late Rain or Shine rally, inches closer to twice-to-beat bonus
PBA Philippine Cup. June 7, 2025. CJ Perez (77) of the San Miguel Beermen against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. (Photo: PBA Media) San Miguel survived Rain or Shine's late rally, 120-111, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Cagayan de Oro City Convention Center to inch closer to a twice-to-beat bonus in the playoffs. The Beermen were leading 93-78 by the end of the third period before Adrian Nocum led the Elasto Painters' comeback attempt. After Marcio Lassiter opened the final frame with a triple, Rain or Shine had a 9-0 run, seven points of which came from Nocum to cut the deficit, 96-87. A free throw from CJ Perez and a basket from Marcio Lassiter handed the Beermen a 12-point advantage, then Nocum ignited another run for the Elasto Painters as they made a 15-4 run to inch closer, 103-102. In that run alone, Nocum had nine points for his 16-point output in the fourth period. The Beermen, however, managed to recover with a 7-0 run to take a 110-102 lead. Andrei Caracut drilled a triple to give the Elasto Painters a chance with 2:27 left before a free throw from June Mar Fajardo, followed by a four-pointer from CJ Perez gave San Miguel a 115-105 advantage with less than two minutes remaining. San Miguel then held off Rain or Shine in a tension-filled ending despite late triples from Caracut and Jhonard Clarito. CJ Perez stuffed the stat sheet with 33 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Don Trollano and June Mar Fajardo had 24 and 20 points, respectively, as the Beermen improved to 8-1. Caracut waxed hot with 24 points built on five triples, while Nocum had 22 points to lead the Rain or Shine storm. Clarito added 17 points, while Keith Datu and Santi Santillan had 12 and 10 points, respectively as Rain or Shine fell to 6-4. Scores: San Miguel 120 – Perez 33, Trollano 24, Fajardo 20, Lassiter 16, Tiongson 8, Cruz 6, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Cahilig 3, Tautuaa 2. Rain or Shine 111 – Caracut 24, Nocum 22, Clarito 17, Datu 12, Santillan 10, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 7, Porter 5, Asistio 5, Norwood 0. Quarters: 30-25, 60-43, 93-78, 120-111. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
