Cjay Perez had a forgettable first half in the San Miguel Beermen’s 85-82 squeaker over Barangay Ginebra on Easter Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He didn’t score in the game’s first 24 minutes and rode the bench for long stretches due to foul trouble.
It was the kind of first half that would’ve fazed other players. Only, Cjay Perez isn’t just some other player. A four-time champion and former PBA Finals MVP, Perez bided his time, kept his cool, and stayed patient. After all, he knew deep inside he could bounce back like a champion.
“Sa trust ng coaches at teammates ko, alam nilang kaya kong bumawi anytime. Hindi lang naman ito ‘yung laro na may ganun ako e [bad start and foul trouble],” Perez told reporters after San Miguel’s tight win over Ginebra. “Second half, ni-look forward ko lang talaga, nag-ano lang ako sa flow ng game, and ayun, naging worth it naman ‘yung pagiging patient ko.”
It was worth it, indeed. Perez came alive in the second half, scoring all of his 20 points after intermission—including 15 in the final frame. He also dished out the game-winning assist, finding Don Trollano wide open on the right corner for the go-ahead triple.
Leo Austria Approves of the Cjay Perez Special
For San Miguel coach Leo Austria, there was no hint of hesitation playing The Predator even if he already had four fouls in the third quarter. According to him, it’s just his way of giving his players confidence, and it definitely paid off against Ginebra.
“I’m so happy with Cjay. In spite of foul trouble in the first half, I allowed him to play even if he had four fouls,” Austria said. “That’s the confidence I’m giving to a lot of players. As long as they are focused, ‘yung composure nila andoon, there’s nothing wrong with them.”
Sunday’s win saw Perez’s confidence and composure, and Austria’s trust in his star intersect once more, and it came at a most perfect time as Ginebra was just threatening to pull away at 66-58 to end the third.
Cjay Perez, though, had other plans. He was just waiting for his moment.
