Perez slips into Curry mode

San Miguel Beer star CJ Perez has been working on another facet of his game and is now reaping the rewards of his newfound weapon: a smoother perimeter and outside touch.

Fresh from his Gilas Pilipinas stint, the veteran guard exploded for 33 points as the defending champions Beermen picked up from where they left off with a sixth straight win at the expense of TNT, 110-95, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup action last Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

Perez went 2-of-4 from the three-point area, nailed one of his two attempts from the four-point line and torched the Tropang 5G with pull-up jumpers and spot shooting in an impressive 11-of-17 field goal shooting for San Miguel, which secured a spot in the playoffs.

“I think maybe as time goes by, that’s also what I’m practicing because they know that I’m always going to drive,” Perez said.

Known to be a slasher and aggressive basket attacker, the 32-year-old player has helped San Miguel disrupt opponents’ defensive schemes with his outside threat.

Against TNT in a rematch of last season’s all-Filipino conference, Perez erupted for 17 points in the Beermen’s 39-14 third quarter domination that gave them full control of the match to improve to a 6-2 win-loss card and a share of the lead with NLEX, Rain or Shine and Converge.

Still, Perez shared that he continues to work on his perimeter shooting.

“I think it’s not that consistent, but I’m still doing my best to be consistent with my outside shots,” he said.

“And of course, I have the confidence with those shots. They also allow me to take my shots.”

He even joked about having the same touch as the Golden State Warriors’ marksman Steph Curry when taking shots from beyond the arc and more. 

“I feel like I’m Steph Curry when I take my shots. I’m just confident that I’ll make it. And I practice that,” he quipped.