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San Miguel Beermen star CJ Perez in action against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Semifinals. Photo from PBA Images.

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768632898105IMG_9684.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>San Miguel Beermen star CJ Perez in action against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Semifinals. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA – San Miguel Beermen star CJ Perez exploded for his career-best in scoring as they ousted Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, but the veteran gunner said that it was only a usual day in the office for him.</div>The 32-year-old Perez put the Beermen in the driver&#x27;s seat early in the match, outscoring the Gin Kings in the first quarter with a massive 30 points on 12-of-12 shooting, but he said that he just felt he had the hot shooting hand.&quot;Nung na-shoot ko yung una and pangalawa, tapos siguro ano lang yung pangatlo, pang-apat ano na, parang tinira ko nalang. Tinitira ko nalang and then pumapasok. So doon pumasok yung kumpiyansa,&quot; Perez said after their 101-88 Game 6 win on Friday.&quot;Nakita ko naman sila coach sa bench talagang ano din, talagang tiwalang-tiwala sila. Pag tinitira ko at pumapasok hindi naman sila nakasimangot eh,&quot; he jokingly added.<div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/1/16/pba-san-miguel-clinches-last-finals-spot-ousts-ginebra-2141">READ: San Miguel clinches last Finals spot, ousts Ginebra</a></div>According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, as he hit 30 points, Perez tied Bong Alvarez for the second-highest point total in a quarter in the final period of his 71-point outing for Alaska in their 169-138 victory over Shell on April 26, 1990.Perez also became only the third local player to score at least 30 in any quarter, alongside Alvarez and Allan Caidic.Caidic still holds the record for the most points with 37, when he dropped 79 markers against Ginebra on November 21, 1991.The three-time PBA Champion is the first local or foreign player who scored 30 points in the first quarter, also getting the best 100% shooting clip in a quarter by any player with his 12-of-12.Despite getting into foul trouble in the second half, Perez remains grateful the team ended with the victory and finally closed out the semifinals series.&quot;Sobrang grateful na pumapasok ng maaga yung mga tira namin and yung defense namin talaga,&quot; he said.&quot;Alam mo kung hindi siya nag-foul trouble, eh ipapabuo ko sa kanya yung game. That&#x27;s how I trust my players. And even the bench, bakit humahaba ang playing time nila? They&#x27;re playing well, they will stay inside,&quot; San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said.Perez recalled his first career-high outing was back when he was playing for Terrafirma Dyip, then known as Columbian Dyip.&quot;Same na same yung pakiramdam na parang malabong magmintis. Parang ganun yung pakiramdam. Ano lang, I&#x27;m so happy na meron ng game na ganito sa San Miguel,&quot; he shared.When asked if he could repeat this historic performance in the finals, Perez said he would pray and work hard for it.Austria and the San Miguel Beermen praised Perez for his historic performance.&quot;I&#x27;m happy for CJ. After Game 5 ano and then nakita natin ngayon, first quarter palang eh double figures na 30 points. And that&#x27;s very amazing. You can see it naman eh. But that will not happen without the sharing of the ball and then we&#x27;re playing good defense in the first half,&quot; the San Miguel head coach said.&quot;Actually sinasabi ko nalang wow while nung first quarter. Siguro kung hindi nga lang siya nilabas, makaka-shoot pa siya. Kasi he&#x27;s in rhythm, sobrang init niya. We are thankful for CJ kasi ang ganda ng nilaro niya&quot; Don Trollano shared.&quot;Maganda. Ang ganda ng nilaro ni CJ. 41 points, perfect sa first quarter. Maganda yung start namin pero yun nga nakahabol yung Ginebra pero nag-stay composed kami at nakuha namin yung series,&quot; June Mar Fajardo added. WINNING MEAL, ROUTINE FOR CJ?When asked if he did anything differently or ate anything special ahead of Game 6, Perez said it was really just a regular day for him.&quot;Di ako nagbe-breakfast eh. Coffee lang ako, cold brew. Lunch? Kung tatanungin niyo, meatloaf, sardinas saka egg. Yun lang kinain ko kanina. Yun lang yun,&quot; Perez said.&quot;Sana ganun para araw-arawin ko kainin yun. Yun lang kinain ko ngayong araw. I was just doing my usual routine,&quot; he added.Perez said he just got some morning sun, took a nap, and watched movies online before going into predator mode in Game 6.San Miguel will now shift its focus to another grueling series against familiar foes, the TNT Tropang 5G, in a rematch of last year&#x27;s Philippine Cup Finals.&quot;Medyo nakahinga kami ng kaunti but another stress na series nanaman yun fore sure. Mag-sstick lang kami sa ginagawa naming tama. And titingnan namin yung mga mali na ginagawa namin sa team and aayusin namin,&quot; Perez said.The best-of-seven series will tip off on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

San Miguel star CJ Perez exploded for his career-best 41 as they ousted Barangay Ginebra in the #PBA50 Philippine Cup semifinals.

San Miguel star CJ Perez exploded for his career-best 41 as they ousted Barangay Ginebra in the #PBA50 Philippine Cup semifinals.

PBA: CJ Perez shares key to career-best 41-point explosion vs. Ginebra

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PBA: CJ Perez shares key to career-best 41-point explosion vs. Ginebra

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 17, 2026 03:16 PM PHT

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Basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

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PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup

PBA 50

PBA 50 Philippine Cup Semifinals

San Miguel

CJ Perez

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