Mikey Williams drops 30 on SMB as TNT finally scores win amid hectic run

Mikey Williams waxed hot in the second half for the Tropang Giga. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Mikey Williams was a man on a mission especially in the second half as he led TNT to a win in its third game in its eight-night grind, a 96-81 rout of San Miguel in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Despite a 1-for-7 first half, Williams, the frontrunner for both Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player this season, took over for the Tropang Giga in the second half, going 9-for-16 in the last 24 minutes as they outscored the Beermen, 56-41, to break a 40-all halftime standoff.

Williams finished with 30 points on seven triples, two rebounds, four assists, and one steal to lead TNT, which moved up to 3-4 and broke a tie with Terrafirma for ninth place in the standings.

Aaron Fuller added 22 points and 26 rebounds, the most since Allen Durham grabbed 27 boards for Meralco in Game 4 of the 2019 Governors' Cup Finals against Ginebra.

Fuller also had two assists and six blocks.

The Tropang Giga will close out their hectic schedule on Friday night against the Gin Kings before their core will join Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers next week also at "The Big Dome".

June Mar Fajardo put up 22 markers on 10-for-14 shooting, 14 boards, one dime, and one block for SMB, which fell to a tie for seventh place with Rain Or Shine at 3-3.

Orlando Johnson struggled in his first game with the Beermen, only making 12 points on 3-for-22 shooting, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

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