CJ Perez shatters multiple PBA records in unforgettable Game 6 explosion

In a sport where momentum is a living, breathing thing, CJ Perez didn’t just seize it—he owned it.

The San Miguel Beer guard didn’t wait for the game to warm up. 

From the moment his first shots swished through the net, Perez seemed to realize he was about to produce something special. What followed was a performance that didn’t just win a semifinal series—it rewrote the record books.

On Friday, January 16, Perez turned the opening quarter into a highlight reel, delivering a historic explosion that propelled the Beermen into the PBA Philippine Cup finals with a 101-88 Game 6 victory over Barangay Ginebra at the Araneta Coliseum.

A three-time scoring champion, Perez went on a scoring rampage that began with 30 points in the first quarter alone. He shot a flawless 12-of-12 in that period and finished with a career-high 41 points, becoming the main reason San Miguel is headed for a rematch with TNT in the All-Filipino finals.

But it wasn’t just the volume of his scoring that stood out—it was how quickly he turned the quarter into a milestone-making moment.

Perez’s blazing start produced multiple PBA records, including:

• Most points scored in an opening quarter (local or import) 
• Most points scored in a playoff quarter 
• Most field goals made in a quarter without a miss 

Those feats were confirmed by league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

Perez’s 30-point quarter also tied him with Bong Alvarez for second-most points scored in a quarter by a local, trailing only Allan Caidic’s legendary 39-point quarter from 1991.

The comparison isn’t accidental—Perez’s scoring outburst felt like a flashback to his Terrafirma days, when he produced a career-high 39 points in a single game back in 2019.

“It was the same feeling. It felt like I was not going to miss. I’m so happy to have this kind of game for San Miguel,” Perez said. 

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CJ Perez explodes for 30 points in Q1!

Most ever in an opening quarter, tied 2nd for any quarter by a local, and only the 3rd local in PBA history to hit 30+ in a quarter!

@thepbaologist#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/RlmaWPAHIh

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 16, 2026

His opening sequence was an unstoppable blend of aggression and precision. Perez began with three straight layups, then stepped back and nailed three consecutive triples, including a daring four-point attempt that sailed over RJ Abarrientos’ outstretched hand and sank cleanly.

The quarter ended with Perez finishing the period with a double-pump layup over Norbert Torres—capping a stretch in which he outscored the entire Ginebra lineup. San Miguel surged to a 39-15 lead, a cushion that proved too large for the Gin Kings to erase.

Perez might have scored even more had foul trouble not interrupted his rhythm. He picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and spent much of the period on the bench, but coach Leo Austria still made it clear just how much he trusted his star.

“If he did not get into foul trouble, I would have played him the entire game. That is how I trust my players,” Austria said. “If they’re playing well, they will stay inside.”

Even with June Mar Fajardo limited to just four points due to shoulder issues, Perez made sure the Beermen’s engine kept running. Don Trollano provided a strong supporting role with 23 points, but Perez’s night was the defining story.

For Ginebra, Scottie Thompson fought hard with 24 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop Perez’s unforgettable opening quarter.

Now, as San Miguel prepares for a second straight finals rematch with TNT beginning Wednesday, January 21, Perez is hoping the momentum from this historic night can carry over.

“We were able to breathe a little, but it will be another stressful series for sure,” Perez said.

And if the first quarter of Game 6 is any indication, the rest of the series could be a stage for Perez to produce even more unforgettable moments.

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