PBA: San Miguel manages CJ Perez’s minutes amid groin injury

San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during a game vs Titan Ultra Giant Risers in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–CJ Perez played only a handful of minutes in San Miguel Beer’s lopsided win over Titan Ultra in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday despite nursing a groin injury.

Perez was doubtful going into the contest after getting hurt during the first half of the Beermen’s loss to the NLEX Road Warriors last Sunday.

But San Miguel inserted Perez for the start of the fourth and played for two minutes and 27 seconds before spending the rest of the game on the bench.

“Papawis para makacontribute, so that he might feel a bit comfortable,” assistant coach Peter Martin said after the 143-105 win that improved San Miguel’s record to 4-1.

The brief appearance allowed Perez to keep his streak of consecutive PBA games played intact. He appeared in his 279th career game, leaving him one shy of tying Dante Gonzalgo for sixth all-time in consecutive games played.

With the conference in its early stages, it gave San Miguel the luxury of virtually resting Perez.

“His injury is a groin pull,” said Martin. “CJ doesn’t feel it, but his X-rays show that there’s a tear. If it is a Finals game or a semifinal game, he will play.

“We’re just trying to manage his injury,” he added.