CJ Perez caught fire for San Miguel four nights after he was contained for Gilas. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--CJ Perez exploded for San Miguel as the team reminded TNT that they are the ones who slammed their PBA Season 49 grand slam bid with a 110-95 blowout win in the rematch of last season's PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday night at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.

Four nights after only scoring two points for Gilas Pilipinas in their FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game against Guam, Perez came alive and fired 33 points on 11-of-17 shooting with two rebounds, three assists, and one steal for the Beermen, who pulled away from the Tropang 5G after a 39-14 third quarter.

June Mar Fajardo added 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists as SMB now won six straight games and joined a four-way tie at the top of the standings.

Based on the current quotients unofficially tabulated by Dugout Philippines, the team, which started its title defense at 0-2, now has an inside track to enter the quarterfinals as the top seed, having already clinched a spot in the next round during the Christmas period.

Jericho Cruz, fresh from carrying the fight for Guam against Gilas on Monday night, had a solid 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal off the bench for the Beermen.

Jordan Heading led TNT, which fell to a tie with Magnolia for fifth place at 5-3, with 18 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal while also committing four turnovers.