Mikey Williams would be the first to admit that he needed some time to acclimatize with the TNT Tropang Giga’s scheme of things.
But when he did, there was no stopping the fourth overall pick from proving how much of a game-changer he is for the MVP Group’s crown jewel.
The 30-year-old showed just that on Friday night. He led his side to a dominant 94-79 win to finish off Magnolia and own the 2021 Philippine Cup.
Williams poured 24 points, including 10 in the second period as he commandeered the Tropa’s pull-away. He shot 40-percent including four triples; and also collected four rebounds, four assists, and a steal in nearly 40 minutes.
And he saw his fine play aptly rewarded. With averages of 27.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, he was named the Honda PBA Press Corps Finals MVP.
Williams becomes just the third rookie player to win such honors.
“I feel like this is just a surreal moment for all of us,” Williams said moments after the championship presentation at the DHVSU Gym.
“We definitely put the work in, we definitely put the time in. It’s been a long season. It’s been really challenging for everybody. I think we’re all just really blessed to be in this moment,” he added.
Williams couldn’t have come up with a better conclusion of his first conference. But the BPC candidate did not take all the spotlight to himself.
Ever the team player, the former NBA G-League veteran expressed gratitude to his teammates and coaches for helping him since day one.
“It took a minute to adjust. But everybody behind me welcomed me with open arms,” said the 30-year-old, who had his PBA debut delayed for two weeks since his teammates underwent health and safety protocols.
“They definitely made my job a lot easier.
“They just gave me the confidence, continued to push me, and we all just continued to work. But I gotta thank everybody behind me — the 15 and the coaches. We all got it done,” he added.
Williams also expressed thanks particularly to the team’s leaders such as Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes, and Kelly Williams for the guidance they provided not just to him but for the rest of the Texters as well.
“It’s good hearing from certain vets,” he said. “They definitely try to teach and help mold us into players that they are now, that they became.
“They definitely continue to give knowledge, and we continue to pick their brain. And we’ve been doing that all season. I just thank the vets for continuing to stay on us, making sure everybody’s locked in.”
