CJ Perez had a perfect shooting in a scorching first quarter effort as he led San Miguel Beer to a 101-88 lynching of Barangay Ginebra to win their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal series and clinch a finals spot on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The former Lyceum wingman erupted for 30 points in the first quarter, making all 12 of his attempts from the field, which enabled the Beermen to secure a 63-47 halftime lead.
The Beermen extended their lead to as many as 19 points on the way to winning the series, 4-2.
The 6-2 Perez’s hot-shooting night enabled him to tie Bong Alvarez for the second highest scoring total in a period when he dropped 30 in the fourth quarter of his 71-point effort for Alaska in a 169-138 win over Shell on April 26, 1990.
The Beermen will meet the TNT Tropang 5G in a rematch of the finals from last season.
SMB won the Philippine Cup in Season 49, denying TNT of a rare chance to win the grand slam after ruling the first two import conferences.
Perez went on to finish with 41 points, on 17-of-23 shooting overall.
Don Trollano was the only other double figure scorer with 23 points while Chris Ross and Mo Tautuaa chipped in eight apiece.
June Mar Fajardo only had four points but pulled down 18 rebounds.
Scottie Thompson led Ginebra with 24 points and nine rebounds.