No time to relax for TNT, Mikey Williams despite 2-0 lead

TNT Rookie Mikey Williams. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—TNT has been cruising so far in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals with 2-0 series lead over Magnolia.

But those two wins are now in the rear-view mirror for Mikey Williams.

The rookie from Cal State Fullerton has been the key to the Tropang Giga’s run, averaging 24.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists but he knows that lead won’t stick unless they start fixing their mistakes.

“We got to shift our focus to Game 3 and figure out what we can fix and where we can adjust and go from there,” said Williams following TNT’s 105-93 win in Game 2 Friday at DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Williams was instrumental in the Game 2 romp scoring 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while also hitting five of TNT’s franchise record 17 3-pointers in a finals game.

The Tropang Giga’s outburst from deep, 10 of which came in the first quarter and 13 in the whole first half, was the second-most in PBA Finals history behind San Miguel’s 18.

Although TNT led 40-27 at the end of the first, the Hotshots were able to slowly creep in and get to as close as four, 90-86, midway through the fourth.

Fortunately for the Tropang Giga, Williams rose to the occasion and scored five in a 7-0 run that put them up 97-86 with 6:17 to play.

“It’s gonna be a challenge but my teammates and my coaches just told me that this is expected and that this was something we couldn’t really put a game plan for,” said Williams. “I figured that if I just keep my composure and try to play through whatever’s going on and I’ll be fine.”