Perez sizzles as Beermen dump Road Warriors for maiden win

CJ Perez finally shone as a Beerman. PBA Images

By Ricky Manliguis

MANILA—CJ Perez spearheaded a blistering San Miguel attack to pull off a 110-93 win over NLEX in the second game of Friday action in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. 

The newly-acquired Perez scored 21 points all while taking the lead in the Beermen’s hot start enough to register its first win after two games despite losing Terrence Romeo for the first time this season.   

The Beermen went hot from the get-go thanks to Perez’s 15 first half points for a 61-44 bubble at halftime. The rampage continued in the second, with the lead ballooned at 24 at one point, 108-84, and held on from there. 

Alex Cabagnot chipped in 17 markers for SMB, while bigman Mo Tautuaa issued a near-double double of 16 points and nine boards. Six-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo played his best game so far, pumping in 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

“They (Beermen) realized the importance of this game. This is a very short tournament. We don’t want to lose two games in a row,” said SMB coach Leo Austria, referring to the team’s loss to the Meralco Bolts in its first assignment. 

Kevin Alas paced the Road Warriors, which dropped to a 1-2 card, with 20 points and six assists, with Kiefer Ravena backing him up with 16 and Raul Soyud 15. 

The Scores: 

SAN MIGUEL 110–Perez 21, Cabagnot 17, Tautuaa 16, Lassiter 14, Fajardo 14, Pessumal 10, Santos 9, Zamar 4, Ross 3, Gamalinda 2, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0. 

NLEX 93–Alas 20, Ravena 16, Soyud 15, Quinahan 9, Paniamogan 8, Oftana 7, Miranda 5, Semerad 5, Trollano 3, Cruz 3, Porter 2, Ayonayon 0, McAloney 0.  

Quarterscores: 32-22; 61-44; 88-67; 110-93.

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