By Will Imperial
It was a historic feat for CJ Perez, clinching the first-ever Best Player of the Conference and PBA Finals MVP in the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup. The question remains: Will a breakthrough MVP follow for the San Miguel Beer star?
Perez refrains from thinking ahead, stating that if it comes, it will come. Currently, his priority is winning a second straight championship for a sweep of Season 48.
“Next conference championship ulit sana,” said the guard out of Lyceum just moments after the Beermen wrapped up the best-of-seven title series against Magnolia, 4-2.
“‘Yun ang isang idadagdag ko sa goal ko at sa listahan ko.”
Perez elevated his performance this season, emerging as a franchise player for the Beermen alongside seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
After consistently contending since joining the league in 2018 as the No. 1 overall pick by Terrafirma, Perez finally secured the BPC award.
With averages of 18 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 3.2 steals in the title series, the 30-year-old Perez outperformed Fajardo and Jericho Cruz, earning him the PBA Press Corps-Honda Finals MVP award.
Despite being held to just four points in the first half, Perez exploded for 24 points in the last two quarters. His crucial three-pointer with 48 seconds left aided the Beermen in securing a dramatic 104-102 comeback win in the title-clinching Game Six. Perez finished with 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Securing two major individual awards naturally positions Perez as a top contender in the MVP race once again. However, his focus remains on winning another championship, and from there, he’ll assess the broader landscape.
“I never dreamed about sa sariling award. Kung darating, darating siya,” he said.
“I’ve been in that line for like five years na. Dumating siya ngayon, so I’m just grateful, and I am so blessed na dumarating siya ngayon, and I’ll never stop working.”
