PASAY CITY, Philippines — In a thrilling display of clutch performance, CJ Perez ignited a late scoring surge to rescue the San Miguel Beermen from the brink of defeat, securing a 95-89 victory over TNT Tropang 5G in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
The win on Sunday night, January 25, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena, gives the Beermen a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
The Perez Takeover With San Miguel trailing 89-86 and only 50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Perez showcased why he is one of the league’s premier scorers:
- The Four-Point Play: Perez drained a crucial four-point shot over Calvin Oftana to catapult the Beermen into a 90-89 lead.
- The Dagger: Following a defensive stop, Perez knocked down another triple from the conventional arc, extending the lead to 93-89 and sealing the win for San Miguel.
- Perfect Performance: Perez finished with 20 points, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter. He was an “immaculate” 6-of-6 from the field during the final frame.
Supporting the Beermen While Perez provided the late-game fireworks, San Miguel’s veteran core provided the stability needed to weather TNT’s rallies:
- June Mar Fajardo: “The Kraken” was a dominant force in the paint, posting 16 points and a staggering 27 rebounds.
- Don Trollano: Contributed 19 points to the winning effort.
TNT’s Near-Comeback TNT battled back from a 14-point first-quarter deficit to take several leads in the second half.
- Calvin Oftana: Led TNT with 25 points, bouncing back from a quiet start to the series.
- Jordan Heading & Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser: Both added 15 points, with Ganuelas-Rosser also hauling down 13 rebounds.
- The Missed Opportunity: TNT held an 89-86 lead in the final minute before the Perez onslaught, with Jordan Heading missing a potential game-tying four-pointer in the dying seconds.
Looking Ahead San Miguel is now just two wins away from successfully defending their All-Filipino title. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, at the same venue, as TNT looks to even the series and San Miguel seeks a commanding 3-1 lead.