PBA: Mikey Williams, TNT oust Converge to book semifinals berth

TNT’s Mikey Williams leads the Tropang Giga to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Mikey Williams fired 26 points a day after signing a new contract as TNT walloped quarterfinal foe Converge, 116-95, on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Williams came out firing in the second quarter when he scored 22 in that stretch highlighted by a perfect 4-of-4 clip from three-point region which gave the Tropang Giga full control of the contest right until the end.

It was a performance that made Williams worthy of the three-year deal which he and the Tropang Giga agreed on the eve of the match, ending a dispute that began prior to the start of the season.

The defending All-Filipino champions won despite a 17-day break and will take on Magnolia or NLEX in the semis which will be a best-of-seven affair.

Magnolia is ahead in its best-of-three quarters matchup with NLEX after taking Game 1 last Sunday.

Troy Rosario had 18 points and seven rebounds while RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro added 16 and 15 points for TNT.

Converge never got a chance to make it a competitive match, thus putting an end to its maiden conference in the big league.

Rookie Tyrus Hill topscored for the FiberXers with 18 points.

The scores:

TNT 116 — Williams M. 26, Rosario 18, Pogoy 16, Castro 15, Williams K. 10, Montalbo 9, Erram 7, Tungcab 5, Banal 5, Khobuntin 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Marcelo 0, Alejandro 0, Cruz 0.

CONVERGE 95 — Hill 18, DiGregorio 15, Murrell 11, Tratter 10, Ahanmisi 10, Arana 8, Racal 5, Tolomia 5, Adamos 4, Stockton 3, Ambohot 3, Ilagan 2, Bulanadi 2, Browne 0.

Quarters: 30-20, 70-42, 97-67, 116-95.