San Miguel Beer guard CJ Perez.–PBA IMAGES
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round
MANILA, Philippines–CJ Perez knocked down a four-point shot that proved to be decisive as San Miguel Beer overcame Phoenix, 111-107, to open its Group B assignment in the PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Perez made the 27-foot attempt with the shot clock about to expire and the time down to less than a minute as the Beermen extended their lead to five that also helped them survive a last-ditch uprising by the Fuel Masters.
Phoenix had a chance to steal one but Ricci Rivero missed a go-ahead shot from the same range Perez made while Tyler Tio didn’t converted a similar try, a hurried one for a chance to force overtime, as the buzzer sounded.
June Mar Fajardo, three days removed from winning a record-extending eighth Most Valuable Player, had 37 points and 24 rebounds to power San Miguel to a win and join Rain or Shine atop its group.
READ: PBA: Fajardo still has desire to add to MVP haul, key more San Miguel titles
Perez added 21 points and four rebounds for the Beermen even as import Jordan Adams put in 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Jason Perkins tallied 18 points and seven rebounds, but Phoenix fell short in scoring an upset in its season-opening contest.
Phoenix battled back from 13 down to draw level at 99-all on RJ Jazul’s triple with over three minutes remaining.
San Miguel got the lead back and was up 106-105 when Perez scored the four-pointer with a stepback from the right side of the longest arc.