It’s no secret CJay Perez shoots the most out of all the San Miguel Beermen. He’d even pull up from way out at the four-point line every now and then or shoot from distance early in the shot clock. Sometimes, in fact, Perez’s shot diet can frustrate even the most ardent San Miguel fans.
But, as it turns out, the man known as The Predator shoots without a care because he’s got the blessing of none other than his coach, Leo Austria.
“Gusto niya manalo. Never ko siya pinagbabawalan tumira,” Austria acknowledged in the aftermath of Sunday’s Game 3, which San Miguel won because CJay Perez did what he does best, which is shoot. “Any part of the court as long as it is a good shot or the situation is kelangan niya itira ‘yon [he can shoot].”
At that moment, the Beermen were down, 89-86, with under a minute left and needed a three or any basket, for that matter. CJay Perez went for the four anyway, and the rest is history.
CJay Perez, Leo Austria Get into It in Game 3
Incidentally, CJay Perez’s heroics came in the same game in which he and Austria got into a bit of an argument over playing time.
“Earlier during the first half, nagkaroon kami ng kaunting altercation,” Austria admitted. “He wants to win by playing a lot of times. But as a coach, I know what’s happening because we’re after the flow of the game. I have respect for everybody. But I want to let him know na I am the coach of the team, and they should respect me also.”
Perez, according to Austria, apologized afterward, and he did the same.
And, as if to tell Perez that things were truly okay, Austria gave his fiery ward the ball in the endgame.
“Yung last possession, lahat sa kanya ko ibinigay,” said Austria.
CJay Perez responded like only he could: He sank a four-pointer and a triple in a span of seconds to snatch victory away from defeat and give San Miguel a 2-1 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
