Push Admin

San Miguel officially acquires CJ Perez, as PBA approves trade

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/01/30/pba.jpg"/></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>The PBA on Tuesday approved the controversial trade that will send CJ Perez to San Miguel Beer.</p><p>In exchange, the TerraFirma Dyip will receive three players -- big man Russel Escoto, guard Gelo Alolino and forward Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.</p><p>San Miguel also sent its first round pick in the upcoming draft, as well as another first round pick from the 2022 draft. </p><p>The Dyip took Perez as the top overall pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, and the guard out of Lyceum of the Philippines University more than lived up to the hype with a superb showing in his first season as a professional.</p><p>Not only did Perez win the 2019 Rookie of the Year award, but he also made it to the PBA First Mythical Team and All-Defensive Team, and was the league&#x27;s leading scorer in his freshman campaign. </p><p>Perez also made it to the Gilas Pilipinas team that competed in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and won a gold medal in 3x3 in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.</p><p>He once again emerged as the PBA&#x27;s leading scorer in the 2020 All-Filipino Cup, averaging 24.4 points per game for a TerraFirma team that won just once in 11 games.</p><p>The trade has caused plenty of controversy, as many PBA fans believe it is unfair for TerraFirma to give up their franchise player even with the Dyip getting three players in return. The <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/29/21/pba-terrafirma-trades-cj-perez-to-smb-as-beermen-keep-stars-say-reports">original terms of the deal</a> included only San Miguel&#x27;s upcoming draft pick, before their 2022 selection was also added into the package. </p><p>TerraFirma team governor Bobby Rosales has defended the trade, however, calling it &quot;legitimate.&quot;</p><p>&quot;If we really want to get something of value, you have to give up something of value also,&quot; he said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/31/21/pba-terrafirma-boss-defends-legitimate-cj-perez-trade">FULL STORY: TerraFirma boss defends &#x27;legitimate&#x27; CJ Perez trade</a></li></ul><p>Perez is expected to join San Miguel after he fulfills his duties with the men&#x27;s national basketball team. He is currently at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, where Gilas Pilipinas is training for the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers. </p><div><strong>Related video: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/okWGgY-1acA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>(UPDATED) The PBA on Tuesday approved the controversial trade that will send CJ Perez to San Miguel Beer.</p>

(UPDATED) The PBA on Tuesday approved the controversial trade that will send CJ Perez to San Miguel Beer.