Mikey Williams would be the first to tell that he didn’t like the way he performed in TNT’s last couple of games in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Although the numbers were there as he averaged 19.5 points in the said span, the 30-year-old’s shooting was far from satisfactory, particularly from beyond the arc. He made just a total of five three-pointers in 21 attempts.
Worse, the Tropang Giga dropped both assignments against Magnolia and Phoenix Super LPG — losses that all boiled down to the final possession.
Thus, the keenness on Williams’ part to do better against San Miguel on Wednesday night in a rematch of the 2021 Philippine Cup semifinals.
He did accomplish his goal. And he did it in the most sensational of ways, much to the delight of his team and its faithful at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Rookie-MVP frontrunner exploded for 30 points, 22 of which he made in the final quarter to power TNT’s breakaway towards the 96-81 victory to finally get back on track — and register their first win of the year.
Williams shot 43.5-percent from the field, including 7-of-15 from downtown. He made six of his outside shots in the deciding chapter, half of which he made in a consecutive fashion that kickstarted the one-sided affair.
“I haven’t played a good game in the last two games, and I’ve been really down on myself about it,” said Williams. “So I just wanted to show up for the team, and just do what I can do, and control what I can control.
“And my teammates just kept saying, ‘Shoot it and just keep going.’ And do what I do. We got the mission completed today,” he added.
As huge of a factor he was in the triumph, Williams said that it was really defense and the consistent play the entire 48 minutes that spelled wonders.
“I feel like our attention to detail on defense definitely took over. We haven’t played a full game for 48, and today, we completed that mission,” he offered. “And we just gotta build off this and continue to stay united and stay together.”
And so, playing what he said ‘complete games’ will be among the main objectives of TNT, which improved to 3-4 following the big win.
“We just have to take it every day, one step at a time. Continue to build, continue to practice, and work on the things that we need to work on,” said Williams, who’s averaging 17.6 points a game in the tourney.
“Continue to have complete games, and continue to listen to Coach Chot and what they’re instilling. And everything will take care of itself.”
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