CJ Perez turned a tense finals duel into his personal stage when it mattered most. After a quiet three quarters and an early sideline altercation with his coach, Perez erupted late to power San Miguel Beer past TNT, 95-89, on Sunday, January 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The win pushed the Beermen to a crucial 2-1 lead in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals. It also completed a follow-up to their dominant Game 2 victory and placed them firmly in control heading into Game 4 on Wednesday at the same Pasay City venue.

Perez was held to just three points through the first 36 minutes. When the game tightened, however, he delivered a stunning turnaround.

Perez delivers knockout fourth quarter

Perez drilled a four-point shot and followed it with a three-pointer inside the final minute, igniting a decisive nine-to-nothing San Miguel run. His seven-point burst flipped an 89-86 TNT lead into a commanding Beermen finish.

He finished the quarter with 17 points, providing the offense when San Miguel needed it most. The Tropang 5G had seized momentum moments earlier through a 10-0 run by Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, and Henry Galinato.

“I just want to win,” Perez said after the game. “Wala naman sa play, sadya lang pumasok. Thank God pumasok ang mga tira ko.”

Beermen lean on grit and balance

San Miguel dominated early with a 33-19 opening salvo, but TNT recovered to grab a 50-44 halftime lead. The Tropang 5G carried control into the third before the game turned into a tense exchange of runs late.

Coach Leo Austria confirmed an early altercation with Perez but praised his response. Austria said Perez apologized, stayed locked in, and showed his desire to make an impact when it counted.

June Mar Fajardo anchored the win with 16 points and a massive 27-rebound performance. Don Trollano led all scorers with 19, while Moala Tautuaa added 14 and Marcio Lassiter chipped in 10 as San Miguel seized the series driver’s seat.