Perez braces for tight TNT defense

CJ Perez welcomes the challenge of facing another defense-oriented team in the TNT Tropang 5G as San Miguel Beer shoots for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup crown.

The small forward is up for another tough time getting his usual numbers on offense against the grand slam-seeking Tropang 5G, who draw success in low-scoring ballgames.

Much like Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, TNT will be focused on neutralizing Perez’s scoring threat aside from Beermen center June Mar Fajardo when the best-of-seven finals series begins today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Perez, however, is very much aware that he’s a marked man, and he’s ready.

“I think it’s just all the same. It’s just up to me how I would respond to the defense thrown at me,” the 31-year-old San Miguel leading scorer said.

Although San Miguel got through the Kings in a grueling seven-game Final Four, Ginebra stymied the explosiveness of Perez.

The former Best Player of the Conference saw a dip in his production in the semis after averaging 23.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per outing in the elimination round.

With Ginebra’s defensive scheme, Perez averaged 17.57 markers with just 3.86 boards and 3.43 assists.

Despite missing key pieces and fielding players nursing injuries, TNT remains a formidable defensive squad, proven by its semis win over Rain or Shine.

The Tropang 5G took away the Elasto Painters’ running game and held them below their average of 100 points per game. TNT will try to do the same against the Beermen by keeping their scorers in check, especially Perez.

But the San Miguel star is confident they have a perfect game plan to counter TNT’s vaunted defense.

“Of course, with the help of my teammates, for sure, I’ll get an opening,” he said.

“We’ll just do our best whatever defense TNT will give. We’ll be ready.”