Williams, Warriors preparing for deep playoff run in South division

Missing a huge chunk of the Chooks to Go MPBL Lakan Season due to personal reasons, Filipino-American guard Mikey Williams wants to make up for lost time with the General Santos Warriors, who face an uphill climb as the No. 7 seed in the South division playoffs starting next week.

“I’ll be here for the playoffs, and hopefully, we can make a run for the championship,” said the 6-foot-2 NBA G-League veteran, who delivered 12 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the Warriors clinched the seventh seed with an 85-80 win over Nueva Ecija at Caloocan Sports Complex on Wednesday night. “Whoever it is we’re playing, we’re going to be ready.”

The Warriors went from one of the top teams in the South division to a squad that needed a late push to make the playoffs, where they will face the second seed Bacoor Strikers—the same team that knocked them out in the first round last year.

“I mean we just got to take things game by game and see what takes place,” said Williams, who will be backstopped by ex-PBA players Rob Celiz and Pamboy Raymundo.

“But we will come in prepared. I have great teammates and I have pretty good players all around me.”

The other best-of-three first round playoff matchups in the South division pit top seed Davao Occidental against Bicol, No. 3 Basilan against No. 6 Iloilo and No. 4 Batangas against fifth-ranked Zamboanga.

The North division playoff picture sees top-ranked San Juan hosting Pasay in the first round; Manila holding home-court against Pasig; No. 3 Makati facing No. 6 Bulacan and fourth seed Pampanga battling No. 5 Bataan.