WINNING a PBA championship was a dream come true for CJ Perez.
And he fulfilled that vision Sunday night when the San Miguel Beermen dethroned TNT Tropang Giga behind a 119-97 win to regain the Philippine Cup championship before a crowd of 15,195 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"Pangarap ko talaga ito, e. Marami na akong napanood na finals game ng mga iniidolo ko dati," said Perez, who paced the newly-crowned champion with 25 points behind an 11-of-17 shooting from the floor, while dishing out seven assists with four rebounds to boot.
And just how Perez wanted to become winners like his PBA idols was palpable in the final 12 minutes of the winner-take-all encounter when he teamed up with six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter to spark a backbreaking 17-0 blast by the Beermen.
The telling run had San Miguel finally gaining control of the game for good, 101-89, after trailing by five entering the final quarter.
Sponsored content: Perez, 28, was more than relived the hard-fought best-of-seven series that went the full route was finally over as he relished winning his first championship as a pro.
"Sobrang nakakapagod, pero worth it. Sobrang saya ko," said the former NCAA MVP out of Lyceum. "Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord na binigyan kami ng lakas at natapos itong Game Seven."
The wingman who San Miguel acquired in a trade with Terrafirma two years ago, hopes the championship journey is just the beginning of many more title runs for him and the Beermen.
"We need to be on the ground. Kailangan maging humble. Sa mga next conference, gagawin namin yung best na makarating ulit sa ganitong moment," he said. "Sobrang excited ako sa mga susunod na conference na makapag-contribute ako sa team ng San Miguel."
Perez was the no. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft by Terrafirma.(RG)
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