Ross up to the challenge against good pal Mikey in PBA finals

FRIENDSHIP takes the backseat as Chris Ross faces pal Mikey Williams in the PBA Philippine Cup finals beginning Sunday.

As among the veterans in the Beermen roster, Ross is expected to be given the daunting task of trying to contain Williams in the best-ofseven title series between reigning champion TNT and top seed San Miguel Beer.

The match-up is a perfect subplot pitting a great offensive player against a top defensive guard.

Of course, it's no secret too, the two Fil-Am players are friends on-* and-off the court.

Williams, the Rookie of the Year in 2021, once referred to Ross as one of the players who make life miserable for him during games.

"He's cool to me because he's just trying to up my ego," said Ross about the compliment given him by the TNT sophomor e.

"But seriously, I've known Mikee for a while now. I know what type of talent he is even before he got in the PBA and what he can do when he gets in the league," added the two-time Defensively Player of the Year. "And he hasn't disappointed at all."

In TNT's semifinals series with Magnolia, the 30-year-old Williams led the team in scoring with an 18.6 average while shooting a high 39 percent from three-point range.

His scoring average is only second best to the 20.7 of San Miguel's CJ Perez for the conference.

Now, that's something Ross will have to deal with in the Beermen's first finals appearance in three year s.

"I want him (Williams) to play well, but I want us to win. If that happens, I'll be happy with that," said the 37year-old Beerman. (RG)