By NIKOLE JAVIER
CJ Perez was left frustrated after San Miguel Beer suffered a 93-86 loss to Meralco in Game 1of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday night, June 5.
Immediately, Perez blamed the loss to lack of fire and passion as they were a mere shadow to a team that swept Rain or Shine in their best-of-seven semis series.
“Hindi naman sa kalawang. Ang [nangyari lang] is parang hindi kami nabuo. Hindi ‘yun ‘yung San Miguel basketball. Meron kaming 18 assists lang ata. Kailangan namin i-adjust ‘yung laro namin and kailangan i-distribute ng maayos ‘yung bola,” Perez said.
For one, Perez struggled to keep himself out of trouble as he was hounded by four personal fouls already in the first half – making him unable to completely go hard and all out on both ends.
But the foul woes definitely got to him when he was slapped with an offensive foul off a successful challenge by Meralco against Cliff Hodge.
“Malaking epekto ‘yung [na-foul trouble ako]. Finals ngayon eh, hindi dapat tatawagan ‘yung mga ganung kaninipis na foul. Nothing against the [refs],” said Perez.
“Siyempre Finals to kaya kailangan natin dumepensa ng maayos. Malaking bagay rin na nawala ako at nagkaroon ako ng apat na fouls,” he added.
Even then, the 30-year-old guard did not entirely forget his offensive responsibilities despite treading lightly as he still put up high numbers with 20 points that went with seven rebounds in the losing effort.
“Pero tapos na ‘yun at focus na kami sa Game 2. Mahabang series pa to, so makakapag-prepare kami ng maayos,” he said.
It also didn’t help that Hodge fiercely fought with urgency for every single rebound and picked up every loose end to keep Meralco ahead of San Miguel in the fourth quarter, which was where it all mattered.
“Dami naming turnovers at we were not moving the ball well. Sa energy and offensive rebounds, I think kay Cliff may siyam na offensive rebounds siya, malaki. Kaya kailangan namin i-match ‘yung energy nila,” Perez said.
