TNT head coach Chot Reyes knows what Mikey Williams is capable of.

But for the Tropang Giga rookie to raise his game to another level in the PBA Philippine Cup finals, Reyes admitted it was a “pleasant surprise.”

Williams torched Magnolia anew with a 26-point performance in a 106-89 victory as TNT nailed a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven affair, a win away from its first PBA championship in six years.

Norming 16.2 points through the semifinals, the fourth overall pick has bumped his scoring to a whopping 28.5 points in the finals, including a 39-point explosion in Game 3.

“Yes, I knew he’d play well. Would he play this well? Let’s say it’s a pleasant surprise,” Reyes said after Game 4.

“But I think his teammates also have a lot to do with it.”

As much as Williams can score at will, he does not disrupt the Tropang Giga offense as he proves to be an efficient operator.

In fact, he is averaging 55% from the field and a scintillating 59% from three-point distance in the finals.

He is also norming 5.5 rebounds and 5 assists in the championship series.

“Yes he can make shots, but he also does a lot of things for us – he rebounds, he plays defense for us, and the most important thing is he plays within the system,” Reyes said of Williams.

“His teammates love playing for him,” Reyes added. “Because he’s willing to do whatever it takes.”

Reyes said going up against a defensive pest like San Miguel guard Chris Ross in the semifinals was beneficial for Williams.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Ross helped limit Williams to a 32% clip in the semifinals, although the TNT newcomer saved the best for last with a 20-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist outing in the series-clinching Game 7.

“To be very honest, coming into the playoffs, we really didn’t know what kind of game we would get from Mikey because this is his first – he’ll be the first to tell you – this is his first experience in a finals like this,” Reyes said.

“But I think going up against a guard like Chris Ross in the semis was really instrumental for Mikey to develop I guess his confidence and his playmaking ability.”

Williams and the Tropang Giga will try to close out the series in Game 5 on Friday, October 29. – Rappler.com