It took some time for Mikey Williams to make his PBA comeback on Wednesday night, but there was no denying the wait was worth it for Converge.
There were fears the two-time Finals MVP would sit out the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup debut versus Titan Ultra as he and the FiberXers had to wait for the letter of clearance from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to arrive.
But after three quarters of sitting idly, he finally set foot on the league’s floor for the first time in three years. Then he went on to show glimpses of his old self to help the young franchise come out on top of guest team, Macau Black Knights.
“It was a roller-coaster,” he reflected shortly after their 102-94 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“There were some things that we couldn’t control that kinda faltered me from playing in the first three quarters to help the team.
“But I’m glad it finally got cleared up in the fourth quarter, and they gave me the go-ahead to play. Just tried to insert myself, help the team as best as I could, in any way that I could,” added the two-time champion with TNT.
Williams wasn’t able to score in his first game back after missing all four of his attempts from the floor, but chalked up two rebounds and three assists.
And two of those dimes were crucial, as they led to baskets for Kylor Kelley, which helped generate the decisive 14-0 run toward a 102-92 lead. That turned the game around for good after the crew trailed, 92-88, with 5:47 left in the fourth.
“In the fourth quarter, I just wanted to get my feet wet and get a feel for the game again, being it my first game in a while,” he offered.
It was more proof of Williams’ impact, even if he couldn’t buy a bucket, something that head coach Delta Pineda himself acknowledges.
(C) PBA Images
“Marami pang hahabulin si Mikey pero siyempre, he’s still a threat. Nag-iba ‘yung momentum ng offense namin when Mikey became the point guard. Nai-set niya lahat,” said Pineda of his new playmaker, who was a +11 on the court.
Williams, however, is simply glad to finally return to the league, and to be part of a team again — especially a team that has a chip on its shoulder.
“It felt good. I missed the game. I missed being out here, playing in front of the fans that we have and just overall, the basketball culture,” he said.
“I missed that,” added the no. 4 pick of the 2021 Draft. “But more importantly, I missed the camaraderie with a team and being around teammates. It’s something new that we’re building here, just glad to be a part of it.
“And, I thank Gov. Archen [Cayabyab] and Gov. Delta, Boss Dennis [Uy] as well for taking a chance on me.”
Now, it’s all about trying to learn Converge’s schemes and finding where he best fits in a talent-laden team for the 34-year-old LA-native.
But Williams knows as well that it won’t happen in an instant, which is why he’s taking it one step at a time.
“The foundation is right where it needs to be. The right guys, the right people at the helm, at the reins to get us to go. I just think it’s learning to focus in and do the little things that we need to do to get those gut-wrenching wins,” he said.
“The group of young guys, they’re still learning themselves. I think it’s gonna take time,” he added.
“Nothing comes easy, it’s gonna take time, it’s gonna take hard work, and coming together to continue to get the wins that we need.”
#WATCH: IT WAS A ROLLERCOASTER 🏀
Mikey Williams discloses that he only received his letter of clearance from FIBA mid-game through the Converge-Macau game#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/xvxmkwNwj5
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/uAfAwckbc3
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 11, 2026
