Reports: TerraFirma Sends CJ Perez to SMB

  • Feb 01, 2021
  • BASKETBALL
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CJ Perez is currently one of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players who is training with the Gilas Pilipinas team in preparation for the third window of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers. If this blockbuster deal gets the nod of the Commissioner's office, this could tip the balance of the PBA again.

On Friday, reports of CJ Perez being shipped by the TerraFirma Dyip to the San Miguel Beermen erupted on social media and while many have been expecting this trade to materialize ever since Perez was drafted as the top pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, the timing of the deal couldn't come at a better time.

The said deal involved the Beermen sending Gelo Alolino, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Russell Escoto, and the number eight pick in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft. 

For the first time in half a decade, the San Miguel Beermen failed to capture last year's Philippine Cup championship as they entered the Clark bubble without June Mar Fajardo. To make things worse, they also lost Terrence Romeo to a shoulder injury during the early goings of the Clark bubble. While the Beermen managed to stay afloat and made the playoffs, they lost to the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals despite being armed with a twice-to-beat-advantage. This is why the trade if approved, couldn't come at a better time as San Miguel aims to get back to their winning ways as CJ Perez's numbers can help the team in many ways. 

After being among the candidates for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in his rookie season, CJ Perez averaged 24 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals during the lone conference of the 2020 season which enabled him to be included in the candidates for the special awards inside the bubble.

With most of the core players of the Beermen already in the climax of the playing years, San Miguel can finally have someone who can help the team slowly prepare for the future. 

That, if the trade gets approved. 

Photo is from the Manila Bulletin