Perez’s career-high leads San Sebastian to 2-0 start

MANILA, Philippines — San Sebastian jumped to an early lead and would never trail in a dominant 88-81 win over host Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 90 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Stags zoomed to a 14-0 advantage to start the game and led by as much as 28 points in the third quarter before fighting off the Heavy Bombers’ fiery fightback late for solo lead in the standings.

“We trust each other,” said SSC head coach Topex Robinson after his team was able to hold off JRU late. “I mean, we can dig ourselves a hole and we can get out of it.”

Sophomore star CJ Perez posted a career-high 29 points, 13 of which came in the third quarter where the Stags took a 67-39 lead.

The Bombers rallied to within seven, 70-77, after Philip Paniamogan picked Perez’s pocket and setup Razak AbdulWahab for the breakaway dunk with still 3:54 remaining.

Perez atoned for his turnover with a three-point play to bring his team’s lead back to double-digits. 80-70, 17 seconds later before veteran guard Jovit dela Cruz nailed a baseline jumper for an 84-74 advantage with 1:16 left that sealed the game.

“This is a good start for us but it’s only the first round and we have to work harder,” Perez, who went 12-of-19 from the field and also grabbed 10 rebounds, said in Filipino.

Bradwyn Guinto added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds for San Sebastian, which emerged as this year’s surprise team so far with so little talk surrounding the team in the offseason.

“If we’re not really given proper mention, we’re fine with that. That’s their call. We’re here to win games,” said Robinson.

Philip Paniamogan paced the Bombers, who suffered their second loss in as many games after losing to defending champion San Beda in the season opener, with 21 points.