CJ Perez hailed as PBA Player of the Week

CJ Perez of the San Miguel Beermen has been recognized as PBA Player of the Week for September 22-26 after helping his team to back to back close victories at the end of the eliminations and at the start of playoffs.

The 1st overall pick in the 2018 PBA rookie draft is so far having a stellar first conference for the Beermen after spending his first two years with the Terrafirma Dyip franchise, providing the scoring and backcourt stability severely lacking after the injuries to Alex Cabagnot and Terrence Romeo.

His steady showing continued last week when he posted averages or 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals in helping the Beermen to two one point wins – one that solidify their place in the best of three quarterfinals and another one to move them closer to the semifinals.

This is the first time for Perez to play in the quarterfinals in the Philippines’ premier basketball league but he proved that he can play at high level in the big stage.

In SMB’s 101-100 win over Alaska in their final game of the eliminations, the former LPU Pirates standout led San Miguel with 20 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists – which includes his last second corner pass to Marcio Lassiter for the game-winning three-pointer that sealed San Miguel’s spot as the number four seed entering the playoffs. Perez followed it up by scoring 14 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing 2 assists to help the Beermen gain 1-0 lead against Northport Batang Pier.

His contributions to his team’s two wins led him to win the weekly award besting teammates June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross and Moala Tautuaa, Mac Belo, Bong Quinto, Alvin Pasaol and Allein Maliksi of Meralco Bolts. Also given considerations for the weekly citation are Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee, NorthPort’s Robert Bolick, and Barangay Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.