MIKEY Williams meets his former team for the first time when Converge battles TNT on Wednesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Williams will share the court with TNT for the first time, albeit as opponents this time, since the Tropang 5G bagged the 47th Season Governors’ Cup last April 21, 2023 - or exactly three years and one day since Williams won the second Finals MVP of his career after the title-clinching 97-93 win over Barangay Ginebra.
CONVERGE VS. TNT
When: Wednesday. April 22. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Mikey battles former team
Converge faces TNT with much anticipation as Mikey Williams is set to play against his former team in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. It will be the first time that Williams will be going up against his old team since a contract dispute led to the two-time Finals MVP being traded to Converge prior to the conference.
Williams will also look to bounce back since he shot just 1-of-10 in their previous game against Magnolia, scoring two points, although he contributed in other areas by hauling three rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
TNT looks to move up
TNT appears to have overcome its shaky start as the Tropang 5G have now won three consecutive games for a 5-2 win-loss record. Another victory will bring TNT to a share of second place with NLEX, enhancing its chances of getting the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Converge urgently needs win
Converge continued its struggles last Sunday when it was defeated by Magnolia Chicken Timplados, 106-94 - their sixth loss over the last seven games. Converge holds a 2-6 win-loss record and another defeat would be bleak to their playoff chances.
Import situation
After its loss to Magnolia, Converge coach Delta Pineda opened up about the possibility of an import switch after the subpar performance of Kylor Kelley after he only had seven points, six rebounds, and two blocks. The FiberXers will stick to Kelley, at least for the meantime, and his presence will be needed especially with the team facing the unstoppable force that is Bol Bol, who dropped 50 points in their 97-92 win over Titan Ultra last Saturday.
Teams Preview
Converge FiberXers
In their recent matchup, Converge FiberXers fell 106-94 to Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Juan Gerardo Gomez de Liano led the scoring with 22 points, supported by three other players who managed double figure scoring, but their efforts weren’t enough.
Offensively, Converge Fiberxers just shot 45.5% from the field, 39.1% from the perimeter and 61.1% from the free throw line. Defensively, they did no better, as they got outrebounded 50-34 and allowed the hosts to shoot 48.6% from the field and 52.6% from beyond the arc.
Converge showed flashes offensively, but poor defensive execution and slow starts ultimately defined the loss. Overall, the team averages 111.9 points per game, while dishing out 25.3 assists. Defensively, they record 52.7 rebounds, 8.4 steals and 3.8 blocks per game.
TNT Tropang Giga
TNT Tropang Giga secured a hard-fought 97-92 win over Titan Ultra Giant Risers in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, relying on elite shot-making and late-game execution.
The decisive factor was their offensive anchor, Bol Manute Bol, who delivered a dominant 50-point performance, including a crucial fourth-quarter scoring burst that flipped momentum.
Offensively, TNT shot 49.3% from the field, 28% from the perimeter and 57.1% from the free throw line. Defensively, they controlled the boards 54-45, made key defensive stops through 7 blocks.
Ultimately, TNT’s superior half-court efficiency, rim protection, and star power proved decisive. They didn’t dominate throughout, but their ability to execute in key possessions was crucial.
Overall, the team averages 115.7 points per game, while dishing out 23.7 assists. Defensively, they record 56 rebounds, 6.9 steals and 6.9 blocks per game.
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