FANCIED rookie Mikey Williams turned in a career-high 36 as TNT regained its winning ways at the expense of NLEX, 100-85 Friday in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The celebrated Fil-Am guard lit up the scoreboard at the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym, making five of his nine three-point attempts for a 13 of 20 field goal overall, as he led a scorching TNT run in the second half that set the tone for the rout.
The Tropang Giga thus hiked their record to 7-1 while gaining quick redemption from their pedestrian showing two days ago, which resulted in a 67-83 beatdown at the hands of San Miguel Beer.
"After the performance against San Miguel, Coach (Chot Reyes) challenged us because we didn't play TNT basketball at all," said Williams, who complemented his scoring spree with three assists and two steals.
"We responded and we did what we had to do today against NLEX, which is a very good team."
Sponsored content: Williams fired eight in the third quarter, where he, Kib Montalbo and RR Pogoy conspired in a 33-19 salvo that enabled TNT to rip the game apart, 80-68.
After top-scoring in the loss to SMB, sophomore Montalbo finished with 13 to go with three steals and two assists. Pogoy also shot 13.
"Today, may teammates really found ways to give me holes for me to get through. We just worked as a team, and we took a team W. It took a team effort and I'm glad to get the win," said Williams.
Two other TNT players chipped in 10, skipper Kelly Williams and big man Poy Erram, who was all-business amid the birth of his son back in Manila.
NLEX (4-4), which came off a 105-110 double-overtime loss to Magnolia last Wednesday, kept in step with the TNT until the halfway mark of the third.
Sponsored content: "We know that NLEX, after coming off a double overtime loss, would come out hard and we thought if we could match their intensity and stay with them, we could wear them down," said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
"And I thought that's what happened. Coach Yeng (Guiao) put a very good game plan together, they really gave us a lot of problems in the first half. But in the second half, our activity and pace wore them down. And that two overtime game two days ago took a toll on them in the second half."
Kevin Alas led the way with 16 for NLEX. (OL)
Second Game
TNT 100 - M. Williams 36, Montalbo 13, Pogoy 13, Erram 10, K. Williams 10, Rosario 7, Reyes 4, Heruela 4, Marcelo 3, Castro 0, Alejandro 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0.
NLEX 85 - Alas 16, Miranda 14, Trollano 14, Oftana 11, Quinahan 9, Cruz 8, Porter 5, Semerad 5, Paniamogan 3, Soyud 0.
Quarterscores: 23-26, 47-49, 80-68, 100-85.
