TNT guard Mikey Williams named Finals MVP for the second time. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–At the cutting edge of TNT’s offense all series long, Mikey Williams took things to another level on Friday night and found great results.
The spitfire guard had 38 points in a hot shooting night, helping the Tropang Giga to their first PBA Governors’ Cup title with a 97-93 Game 6 win and taking for himself the spoils of war in a Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
Williams had 18 points in a big second quarter that kept TNT in the thick of things as defending champion Barangay Ginebra tried its darndest to pull away and force a winner-take-all Game 7.
But his biggest shot was a deep three from the top of the key that brought the Tropang Giga back up, 95-93, with 1:15 left in the contest. It was also his lone bucket in the fourth quarter.
SILENCER.
WATCH: With Ginebra chants swarming Araneta, Mikey Williams sinks a triple to give TNT a 95-93 lead with 1:15 left in the game. #PBAFinals | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/ZdHUzjouGy
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 21, 2023
Williams, the current Scoring Champion and reigning Rookie of the Year, averaged 22 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over the course of six games.
“I’ve got a special group of guys behind me,” the Filipino-American guard said as he accepted the award from the PBA Press Corps.
It was the second Finals MVP for Williams, who won his first during TNT’s championship run in the 2021 Philippine Cup held in Bacolor town, Pampanga.
“He (Mikey) came up to me and said, coach we’re ready to go. He already had that purpose in him from yesterday when we talked briefly,” said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa.
“True enough, Mikey balled out tonight. Without his 38 points, we would not survive this game.”