PBA: CJ Perez gets first triple-double, leads San Miguel rout of Converge

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CJ Perez. PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO CITY — San Miguel vented its ire on Converge with a 111-92 beatdown on Sunday night as the powerhouse club returned to the win column and gain a share of the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.

CJ Perez turned in his first-ever career triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists at Ynares Center here to help the Beermen recover from a narrow loss to Barangay Ginebra last Friday and tab a fourth victory in five outings.

With the rout, San Miguel also upheld its custom of taking down league newcomers. According to stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, the Beermen has always beaten new teams in their first meeting in a tradition that has spanned 12 years.

Jericho Cruz finished with a team-best 22 points coming off the bench. Mo Tautuaa added 19 and 10 rebounds while June Mar Fajardo 18 and 16 as San Miguel sent the FiberXers reeling to 2-4 record while bucking a manpower crisis.

Terrence Romeo is expected to be out for two more months due to a slipped disc, while lead playmaker Chris Ross a few more weeks because of a knee problem. Vic Manuel, however, is set to rejoin the team after the game against Rain or Shine this Wednesday.

Converge got the goods from Allyn Bulanadi who finished with 22 points. Mike DiGregorio added 21 while three others finished in double figures.

The FiberXers will try to right the ship when it plays Barangay Ginebra this Friday in the crowd darling’s first game without coach Tim Cone who’s flying out to the United States for an NBA Summer League assistant coaching gig.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 111 – Cruz 22, Tautuaa 19, Fajardo 18, Perez 15, Lassiter 12, Canate 10, Zamar 9, Enciso 4, Brondial 2, Pessumal 0, Herndon 0, Faundo 0.

CONVERGE 92 – Bulanadi 22, DiGregorio 21, Hill 15, Ahanmisi 10, Murrell 10, Arana 4, Racal 4, Adamos 2, Tolomia 2, Stockton 2, Ilagan 0, Tratter 0, Browne 0, Lojera 0.

QUARTERS: 28-16, 62-39, 86-66, 111-92.