Mikey Williams explodes as TNT crushes Ginebra

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Top rookie pick Mikey Williams once again delivered big time for the TNT Tropang Giga squad after scoring 27 points against the reigning champions of the PBA Philippine Cup Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, 88-67.

Williams was just unstoppable on the offensive end as he torched Ginebra’s defense once they built their big lead at the start of the second frame.

During their momentum-switching run, Williams sparked the Chot Reyes offense as they immediately jumped to a 45-32 lead at halftime on a 25-16 scoring run in the second quarter.

Ginebra mainstay Japeth Aguilar and newcomer Christian Standhardinger helped Ginebra trim the lead in the third quarter but the Williams offensive clinic was still in full display, helping Tropang Giga maintain their lead heading into the fourth quarter.

It was the same story in the last quarter as TNT veterans Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy suddenly caught fire that made the situation worse for coach Tim Cone and Ginebra.

The victory helped TNT grab solo first-place lead with an impressive 8-1 win-loss record while Ginebra fell to a disappointing 3-5 record.

Castro and Pogoy backstopped Williams’ 27 with 14 and 13 points respectively while veteran forward Troy Rosario added 14.

Meanwhile, Aguilar and Standhardinger led Ginebra in scoring with 18 and 14, respectively, while Scottie Thompson added 13 points.