PASIG CITY — For CJ Perez, being “cute” on the stat sheet doesn’t cut it when the game is on the line.
Despite grappling with early foul trouble that threatened to sideline him during the San Miguel Beermen’s narrow 113-112 escape against the Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday night, the “Predator” proved exactly why he is a cornerstone of the SMB dynasty. Perez finished with a solid line, but his post-game reflection revealed a player who demands much more than just a box-score victory.
Perez’s night at the PhilSports Arena was a test of patience. Forced to the bench early after picking up quick fouls, the dynamic guard had to watch from the sidelines as the Dyip—led by a surging Juami Tiongson—threatened to pull off an upset.
“It was frustrating, but you have to stay locked in,” Perez said after the game. “In this league, you can’t afford to be ‘cute’ or play half-hearted just because you’re in foul trouble. You have to find a way to be effective without being reckless.”
When he finally returned to the floor, Perez provided the defensive energy and transition scoring that sparked the Beermen’s late-game composure, finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
While his teammate Don Trollano grabbed the headlines with a dramatic baseline buzzer-beater, Perez was quick to point out that the Beermen shouldn’t have been in a position to need a miracle shot.
“We played a bit loose in the fourth, and that’s on us,” Perez admitted. “Winning is great, but we have a standard at San Miguel. Having ‘cute’ stats doesn’t mean anything if we aren’t closing out games the right way. We need to be sharper.”
Coach Jorge Gallent praised Perez’s maturity, noting that his ability to contribute despite the limited minutes due to fouls was crucial. “CJ knows how to pick his spots. Even when he’s not scoring 30, his presence on the floor changes how teams defend us. He stayed professional and gave us the lift we needed when he got back in.”
As the Beermen move forward in their Philippine Cup campaign, Perez’s “no-excuses” mentality serves as a warning to the rest of the league: San Miguel isn’t just looking for wins; they are looking for perfection.