CJ Perez’s heroics steer SMB to a 2-1 PBA Finals lead over TNT

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After a historic 30-point first quarter in San Miguel’s semis series win over Ginebra, CJ Perez was back flexing his clutch DNA as he powered the Beermen to a 95-89 comeback win over the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup grand finals on Jan. 25, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

San Miguel was poised to run away with a drama-less victory after bagging a five-point lead, 86-81, with only 1:56 remaining in the back-and-forth Game 3 duel.

However, the Tropang 5G woke up at the most crucial time as they shocked the Beermen with back-to-back three-pointers from Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac to steal the driver’s seat, 86-87.

TNT executed two consecutive swing pass actions that freed up both of their stars, putting the pressure back on San Miguel, which lost a couple of chances to score due to a series of unforced turnovers.

The Tropang 5G extended their lead to three, 86-89, after Jordan Heading bounced a slick dime to the rolling Henry Galinato, who slammed the ball with authority in the final 50 seconds of the game.

Out of frustration after letting their five-point lead evaporate, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria was forced to call another timeout and mapped out a play to get them on the board.

Answering the call for the anxious Beermen squad was Perez, as he took matters into his own hands after putting on one of the most clutch performances in PBA Finals history.

Austria went to his superstar shooting guard as he calmly received the inbounding pass after two brush screens at the top of the key.

With the mismatch already locked in when Galinato rotated over to Perez, the scoring machine took him off balance with a couple of triple-threat dribbles before pulling the trigger from the four-point line off a step-back.

Perez hoisted the hail mary when the seventh second ticked on San Miguel’s shot clock, and everything just went into slow motion as his high-looping heave took an eternity to touch the rim.

In the blink of an eye, TNT’s efforts to steal the lead all went to waste with just one shot, as Perez drained the biggest four-pointer of the game that put San Miguel back in the lead, 90-89.

“Who needs a three when you can get a four?” said the amazed Gabe Norwood, who called the game in the upper deck together with sportscaster Carlo Pamintuan.

TNT had the chance to retake the advantage after a timeout, but Nambatac’s three-point attempt from the left elbow missed.

Perez wasn’t done sucking the life out of the Tropang 5G, cashing in a dagger three-pointer for a four-point lead, 93-89. With only 4.9 seconds left, Marcio Lassiter iced the game for the Beermen with a perfect 2-of-2 trip from the free-throw line, helping San Miguel move two wins away from capturing another PBA Philippine Cup championship title.

Out of his 20 points, Perez poured in 17 in the most important quarter of the game, including a personal 7-0 run that put TNT away for good.

“Makikita niyo, ‘yung last possessions, lahat sa kanya ko binigay,” SMB head coach Austria said.
“And that kind of shot, ginagawa niya sa practice and sa game. That’s why nung pataas pa lang ‘yung bola, palagay ko papasok ito.”

Backstopping Perez during San Miguel’s stellar Game 3 dub was Don Trollano, who fired 19 points, and June Mar Fajardo’s all-around dominance of 16 markers, 27 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.