Mikey a cinch to win Finals MVP
HE may have fallen short in the Best Player of the Conference derby but rookie Mikey Williams appears to be a cinch to win the PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP award.
In the ongoing best-of-seven championships series between the TNT Tropang Giga and the Magnolia Hotshots, Williams has been the most impressive performer.
No one comes close to the phenomenal newcomer, stats-wise, in the championship series.
Going into Game Five on Friday, Williams averaged 28.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.25 assists and 6.5 threepoint shots made every game in the finals series.
A former NBA D-League player, Williams was able to put up numbers never seen from a rookie. His three-point accuracy was above par, shooting at 61.75 percent.
He made a record-setting 10 triples in Game 3, the most made ever by a rookie playing in a PBA finals game.
His 39-point output in Game 3 was also the most by a newcomer since Eric Menk tallied 42 in Game 3 of the 1999 All-Filipino finals series between Tanduay and Shell.
Williams’ abilities didn’t go unnoticed that Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero and veteran guard Paul Lee joked in disbelief that the league’s new scoring machine has been torching the Hotshots all series long.
“We cannot stop him, so we just have to limit him, at least below 50 points,” said Victolero in jest. “But we all know how good he is. He’s an NBA caliber player. Remember, he played in the NBA D-League.”
Lee couldn’t help but agree. “Ipinanganak yata siya to score (He was born to score). That’s how good Williams is,” added Lee.
If I were to choose the Most Valuable Player in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, my vote would go to Williams, a rookie.
And I am sure the votes of my other colleagues in the sports writing community would go to the rookie sensation.
I’d say, let Calvin Abueva of Magnolia cherish his trophy for winning the Best Player of the Conference award. He deserves it, after all. But we’ll be delighted to see a rookie named Mikey winning the Finals MVP.
And even perhaps a season MVP, not to mention the Rookie of the Year plum.
Say it with me.