BPC, Finals MVP CJ Perez relishing recent success with SMB

MANILA — The fruits of CJ Perez’s hard work have finally translated into success for him in the hard court.

The 6-foot-1, San Miguel Beermen star was named as the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference, and was also able to get his first Finals MVP after they took care of business against the Magnolia Hotshots in Wednesday night’s Finals Game 6.

• San Miguel rallies past Magnolia to clinch Commissioner's Cup crown

Perez played a pivotal role in SMB’s classic come-from-behind win against Magnolia, with ‘The Predator’ putting up 28 points and a pair of assists and steals. But the former Lyceum of the Philippines University star said that it was how they shared the ball that made wonders for their squad. 

• PBA: CJ Perez named BPC, Johnathan Williams is Best Import

“Nag-focus lang ako kung saan ako magaling, kung saan ako malakas, dun lang ako kumapit talaga,” said Perez, who got the Finals MVP plum after averaging 18 markers, 3.8 boards, 3.2 steals, and 2.8 dimes throughout the series. 

“By sharing that ball, sinabi sa 'kin ni (Chris) Ross na: ‘You drive, kick out mo sa ’kin’ so nagtiwala lang ako,” he added, talking about their barrage of treys late in the fourth that got them back and eventually allowed them to take the lead. 

Perez also commented on his verbal spat with San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent and revealed what really happened between the two of them. 

“Ano 'yan, father and son arguments. Normal na away 'yun, hindi samaan ng loob 'yun,” said the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay. “Si Coach Jorge, sobrang laki ng tiwala niyan sa ’kin.”

This is Gallent’s first full conference as a head coach, and Perez said the first-time PBA champion mentor has trusted him ever since day one. “Mula nung naghawak siya ng team, pinagkatiwalaan niya na ako,” he said.

All in all, Perez, who also realized success with Gilas throughout all of 2023, bared that these are just the fruit of his unending passion and hunger for always giving it his all.

“Actually, ‘di pa ko napapahinga since 2023,” he quipped. “Pero siyempre, sobrang saya ko na kasama ako sa mga ganito. Sa national team, ‘di ko naman ine-expect na makakasama ako dun, pero pinangarap ko rin talaga.”

In less than a week from today, Perez will again be playing for Gilas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, and he said that there is no one stopping him from still giving it his all despite not having enough time for a lengthy rest and recovery. 

“Habang bata pa, talagang binibigay ko 'yung makakaya ko,” said Perez. “Minsan lang dumating sa buhay natin 'yan,” he said.