CJ Perez shines as SMB fends off NLEX to kickstart all-Filipino bid
At A Glance
- CJ Perez took charge down the stretch as San Miguel fended off NLEX, 98-89, to open its redemption bid in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Saturday, April 5.
CJ Perez took charge down the stretch as San Miguel fended off NLEX, 98-89, to open its redemption bid in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Saturday, April 5.

The high-scoring guard fired six of his 28 points in the last two minutes as the Beermen unloaded a 15-6 finishing kick to shake off the pesky Road Warriors.
With NLEX erasing a once 15-point lead for SMB and tying the game at 83-all, Perez helped the Beermen regain their footing with a gutsy layup and then found Juami Tiongson for a booming triple to trigger the deciding run.
Perez added four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in an all-around game for SMB, which is looking to regain its dominance in the all-Filipino conference after losing the title to Meralco last year.
Tiongson provided support with 17 points built on three triples while June Mar Fajardo finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Don Trollano was the other double-digit scorer with 12 points.
The Beermen enjoyed a double-digit advantage for the majority of the contest, the highest in the early goings of the first half when they took a 45-30 lead.
Initially, SMB looked to be on its way to easily claim its first win until the final frame when NLEX suddenly made a run and broke into the Beermen’s double-digit advantage.
Four consecutive free throws from Robert Bolick and Mike Miranda eventually allowed NLEX to tie the game before Perez just took over to give SMB the control once more.
Miranda, who led the fourth quarter fightback for the Road Warriors, paced his team with 15 points while Bolick added 12 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals.