Mikey Williams showed no rookie jitters and powered TNT to a lopsided 88-70 win over Magnolia in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Wednesday, October 20.

Williams stuffed the stats sheet with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals as the Tropang Giga kicked the Hotshots in the teeth from the get-go in the blowout where they led by as many as 32 points.

As Williams put on a show, Magnolia stars struggled offensively, with the triumvirate of Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, and Calvin Abueva sinking just 7 of their combined 26 shot attempts no thanks to the stifling TNT defense.

Kib Montalbo and Kelly Williams set the tone for the Tropang Giga in a sterling 20-2 start before Mikey Williams caught fire in the second quarter, where he unloaded 14 points off 4 triples.

TNT wrapped up the first half with a 53-34 cushion and never looked back, with its lead peaking at 73-41 off another Mikey Williams long bomb.

Poy Erram came off the bench and produced 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the win, while starting center Kelly Williams registered 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Troy Rosario added 8 points for the Tropang Giga, who also benefitted from the 7 points, 4 steals, and 2 rebounds of Roger Pogoy.

Nothing worked for the Hotshots offensively as they shot a horrendous 27% clip from the field and coughed up 28 turnovers, which were almost double their conference average of 15 a game.

Lee led Magnolia with 12 points on a 3-of-12 shooting, while Abueva delivered 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Arguably the Hotshots’ best player in the semifinals where he averaged 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds, Sangalang saw action in only 10 minutes and put up 5 points and 1 rebound.

Jackson Corpuz had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss, with most of his points coming in garbage time.

The Scores

TNT 88 – M. Williams 21, Erram 14, K. Williams 10, Rosario 8, Pogoy 7, Montalbo 7, Mendoza 6, Khobuntin 5, Marcelo 4, Reyes 3, Alejandro 2, Castro 1, Exciminiano 0, Javier 0.

Magnolia 70 – Lee 12, Corpuz 12, Abueva 11, Dela Rosa 7, Sangalang 5, Ahanmisi 5, Barroca 4, De Leon 4, Capobres 4, Jalalon 3, Pascual 2, Brill 1, Melton 0, Reavis 0, Dionisio 0.

Quarters: 24-14, 53-34, 74-48, 80-70.

– Rappler.com