Reyes admits even he was surprised by rookie Mikey Williams' impeccable finals showing

Four games into the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup finals between the TNT Tropang Giga and Magnolia Hotshots, Mikey Williams has not shown any sign of rookie jitters as he continued his steady showing for TNT.

Williams, picked fourth overall by TNT in this year's rookie draft, has been instrumental so far in the finals for the squad, pouring in huge numbers in the past four games.

Even TNT head coach Chot Reyes admitted that he was taken by surprise by the rookie's performance.

"To be honest, coming to the playoffs, we really didn't know what kind of game we would get from Mikey because this is his first experience in a finals like this," said Reyes following their 106-89 Game 4 win over Magnolia on Wednesday.

"I knew he'd play well [but] would he play this well, perhaps, is a pleasant surprise but I think that his teammates also have a lot to do with it."

The 6-foot-2 Filipino-American has been sensational in the finals.

He posted double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds alongside five assists and two steals in TNT's 88-70 Game 1 win before exploding for 28 markers, nine boards, and six dimes in Game 2, which they also won, 105-93.

Williams then produced 39 points in Game 3 despite being a marked man, though Magnolia walked away with a 106-98 victory to avoid a 0-3 hole.

In Game 4 last night, Williams was nothing short of impressive as he churned out 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, seven assists, and two rebounds.

According to Reyes, Williams' higher gear in the series is partly thanks to his exposure to elite opponents in the semifinals against San Miguel Beermen.

"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 playmaking ability," the multi-titled mentor said.

"[Mikey] can make shots but he also does a lot of things, he rebounds, he plays defense for us. The most important thing is that he plays within the system, his teammates love playing for him."

—MGP, GMA News