CJ Perez is no stranger to being hounded by foul trouble, and that’s precisely why he managed to buck that trend to help San Miguel turn back Ginebra for their first win streak of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.

But the star guard himself won’t deny that it gets frustrating whenever he finds himself in such a tough situation–just like what happened against the Kings.

“Sabi ko nga kanina, pumunta ako rito para mag-basketball, hindi magpa-cute sa bench,” he offered shortly after their thrilling 85-82 victory witnessed by a good Easter crowd at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“Nakaka-frustrate siya.”

A microwave offensively, Perez was held scoreless in the first half as he got called for a total of four personal fouls, the last of which was against RJ Abarrientos with 4:03 left in the second period that led to his benching.

But he didn’t stay on the sidelines for long, with Coach Leo Austria still opting to start his prized guard in the third quarter, which indeed paid dividends as the latter began buckling down to work to eventually join the scoring fray.

He’d go on to finish with 20 points, 15 of which he made in the final period alone as he made tough layups down the stretch to help the Beermen push the crowd darlings into a tight exchange after trailing by as many as 13 points.

Foul trouble cools down CJ Perez after historic 30-point quarter

Perez would also chalk up eight rebounds and three assists to his tally, with his last dime easily the most important of the night as it led to Don Trollano’s game-winning trifecta to break the 82-all deadlock with 8.3 seconds left to play.

“Nag-focus lang ako, stayed composed, nilaro ko lang ‘yung laro ko nung second half, and nagbunga naman. We’re grateful na nanalo kami,” said the 32-year-old of his personal bounce-back that earned plaudits from Austria.

The Gilas mainstay couldn’t be any happier to witness his patience pay off so sweetly, which was also a subtle display of learning from past experiences.

It could be recalled that the same thing happened to him back in Game 6 of the Season 50 Philippine Cup semis versus Ginebra as well last January 16, where he scored 30 in just the opening period and finished with a career-high 41.

They did win, and that’s what mattered, although Austria believed that Perez could have scored more than his final output had he not encountered foul trouble–Perez accumulated a total of five personal fouls in that series clincher.

Still, the Lyceum product didn’t take all the credit to himself, expressing gratitude to the kind of trust his mentor and the rest of San Miguel have in him.

“Sa trust ng coaches and teammates ko, alam nilang kaya kong bumawi anytime,” he said. “Actually, hindi lang naman ito ‘yung mga larong may ganun ako na foul trouble, pero ni-look forward ko lang talaga ‘yung second half.

“Nag-ano lang ako sa flow ng game. Ayun, naging worth it naman ‘yung pagiging patient ko nung second half.”

#WATCH: PUMUNTA AKO RITO PARA MAG-BASKETBALL, HINDI PARA MAGPA-CUTE SA BENCH

CJ Perez, along with head coach Leo Austria, talks about San Miguel’s thrilling win over Ginebra#ReadMore https://t.co/Xaagv8jIHB

@justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/PP78zIxKox

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 5, 2026

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The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is set for its most star-studded season yet, with what promises to be the biggest opening in its eight-year history.

The April 10 opener of the country’s regional professional league will be staged across two venues, with North Division games at the Caloocan Sports Complex and South Division matchups at the Alonte Sports Arena.

Games will be held simultaneously at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The much-anticipated debut of Mike Phillips will open the North Division slate, as San Juan takes on Pasay.

The matchup will also feature a reunion, with San Juan’s “Maroon 4” — Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea — set to face their close friend Steve Nash Enriquez of the Pasay Voyagers.

Meanwhile, the North Division main event will see the trio of Kymani Ladi, Kean Baclaan, and Dominic Escobar make their home debut in Caloocan, as the Batang Kankaloo host the Quezon City Black Bulls.

In the South Division, the main event will feature Nic Cabanero and Biñan Tatak Gel hosting the General Santos Warriors.

The South opener will pit Rizal-XentroMall Golden Coolers against the Cebu Greats.

Defending champion Abra Solid North, on the other hand, will make its season debut on April 21 against Parañaque at 6 p.m. at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Games this season will run from Monday to Saturday, featuring triple-headers after opening day.

For the month of April, additional venues include Batangas City Coliseum, Ynares Center Montalban, Olivarez College Gym, San Andres Sports Complex, Imus Sports Complex, Pasay Astrodome, Bataan People’s Center, Ynares Sports Arena, Meycauayan Sports Complex, Malolos Sports Complex, and Batangas City Coliseum.

The MPBL also renewed its broadcast partnership with Solar Sports last March 25 to bring the games closer to fans.

“Fans can expect better, more competitive games this year,” said Manny Pacquiao, who signed the agreement with Solar Sports president Wilson Tieng at the Solar Century Tower.

Other signatories include MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta, CEO Joe Ramos, Legal Counsel Glenn Gacal, Solar chairman William Tieng, CFO/COO Kenneth Yumang, and Chief Legal Counsel Valerie Grace Domantay.

“With Solar as an integral partner, we can look forward to an even more comprehensive coverage not only of the games, but the league’s other activities,” Pacquiao added.

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Zamboanga is all set to play in the Asia Pacific Basketball Tournament 2026, scheduled for April 3-5 at the Waverley Basketball Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Bannered by former PBA big man Greg Slaughter, the Valientes will compete in the Premier Division of the three-day cage wars organized by Minh Dat Tram in partnership with Universal Athlete Centre Keysborough and the Australian Basketball Association Melbourne.

This marks the Valientes’ second consecutive international tour this year, following their stint at the 2026 Dubai International Basketball Championship last January.

“After our successful stint in Dubai, wherein we were able to beat the defending champs Beirut Lebanon, mas maraming invitations kaming natanggap, and isa na ang Asia Pacific Basketball Tournament, and of course, thanks to coach Van Halen Parmis,” said Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro.

“Siyempre nakita namin, this is an opportunity and experience. We have been competing in international tournaments for the last five years after naka-tsamba tayo na mag-champion sa Asian tournament noong 2023 with former NBA star Demarcus Cousins tinalo natin ang Macau Black Bears. 2022 din tinalo natin ang Eastern Hong Kong sa ABL with former NBA player Mario Chalmers,” he added.

In Australia, Slaughter will play alongside former NBA G-League player Malik Miller, Doug Kramer, Mike Tolomia, Peng Concepcion, Rudy Lingganay, Adam Dahingo, Eric Miraflores, Jake Afoa, Luni Lien, and Matt Johns.

Other teams in the tournament include touring squad BSBL Guardians and community teams BTO MBL All Stars and Black Rhinos.

“We will just play and give our best for our city of Zamboanga and our country,” said Navarro.

“Alam naman natin ibang level etong Asia Pacific Australia, but positive tayo, and we will try our best to win every game. We also want to give our local athletes, especially players from Zamboanga, an opportunity to showcase their skills and at the same time promote our city here in Australia,” he added.

After Australia, Navarro said the Valientes will likely participate in other overseas leagues in Indonesia, China, and Dubai. Supporting the team are former Mayor John Dalipe, Cocogen, MLV Accounting, Midas, and Kings Manpower.

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