Heading, Perez not letting guards down with Game 1 up
A lot of the spotlight will fall on the hotshot guards of both San Miguel Beer and TNT when Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup gets going on Wednesday.
One of them has a more direct hand on that than the other.
CJ Perez will draw a lot of attention after scoring 30 points in the first quarter of San Miguel’s closeout triumph over Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals.
He finished with 41 in that Game 6 victory, enough to build his confidence going into Game 1 of the Finals at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. That may also be enough to draw a lot of defensive heat in the series.
“I don’t want my confidence to be too high because every game is different. I’m even more worried because when you get a career-high like that, the defense will focus on you,” Perez told the Inquirer at the sidelines of the Finals presser on late Monday afternoon.
“When you score 41 in a playoff game, people will automatically think you can do everything, so I need to lower my confidence and stay humble.”
TNT’s Jordan Heading will also be a target of the opposing defense, but for reasons not entirely his doing.
The last two times the Tropang 5G won a championship, crack guards Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac were named Finals MVP. Naturally, Heading’s emergence as the lead guard in the TNT rotation has shone a spotlight on him.
So he’s trying to distance himself from all that unwanted attention.
“Honestly, I couldn’t really care less about the Finals MVP,” Heading told the Inquirer.
“I think comparison is the thief of joy. If I compare myself to Jayson Castro or Rey Nambatac, I’ll have a lot of sleepless nights. I’m just going to be Jordan Heading and enjoy the ride,” he added in jest.
Both standouts will spearhead their teams in Game 1, which is likely to end up in a clash of styles.
Trademark defense
Perez and the Beermen have such enviable depth on offense, even for a system that is centered on eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
Heading and the Tropang 5G, meanwhile, took out the high-flying Meralco Bolts in the semifinals with their trademark defense, something that has made Perez wary, especially after his big outing.
“… [M]y worry is not out of fear. I’m worried for myself because of that career-high,” he said.
Heading, meanwhile, might feel a little more pressure than Perez if only because Castro continues to miss games due to a torn patellar tendon. Nambatac is back in harness after nursing a sprained ankle during the semifinals against the Bolts.
Heading shone when TNT booted out Meralco, finishing with 31 points, five assists and four rebounds in the closeout game, which he sealed with his clutch go-ahead bucket.
But surviving the semifinals wasn’t Heading’s goal. Neither is winning the Finals MVP.
“It’s really about the championship. That’s what’s on my mind,” he said.
And Heading is confident TNT will find enough scorers to counter San Miguel Beer’s depth.
“Whoever has the hot hands in games will be different. We have a lot of weapons on our team, there’s a lot of guys to cover and that’s even without Jayson. Hopefully, Roger (Pogoy) comes back soon as well.”
