Perez drops career-best 41 as Beermen pummel Gin Kings in Game 6 to advance to Finals

CJ Perez came out firing on all cylinders, and Don Trollano delivered the finishing touches as San Miguel eliminated Barangay Ginebra with a commanding 101-88 victory, securing their spot in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, January 16.

The dynamic guard exploded for 30 of his career-high 41 points in an electrifying opening frame, allowing the Beermen to establish a significant lead that would ultimately withstand Ginebra’s relentless attempts to stage a comeback, setting up a highly anticipated finals clash against the TNT Tropang 5G.

It was a night of records for Perez, who became the first player in PBA history – local or import – to score 30 points in a single opening quarter. He joins an elite group of local players who have scored at least 30 in a quarter, trailing only Bong Alvarez, who netted 30 points, and Allan Caidic, who holds the record with 37.

In an astonishing display, Perez shot a flawless 12-of-12 in the first quarter, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, as he outscored the entire Ginebra team, which managed only 25 points in the same period.

However, the 32-year-old faced challenges with foul trouble in the subsequent quarters, which allowed Ginebra to threaten another comeback. The Beermen built a lead as large as 19 points at 68-49, but the Kings fought back to narrow the gap to just four points, 79-83, in the final frame. San Miguel, however, regained control with an impressive 15-0 run, spearheaded by Trollano.

Trollano contributed significantly, scoring 15 of his 23 points in the second half, compensating for the limited output from June Mar Fajardo, who managed only four points but made a substantial impact with 18 rebounds.