Williams proves naysayers wrong

Converge got vindication after all the doubts and criticisms over its decision to get Mikey Williams’ signing rights in a shocking trade last year.

The controversial guard’s performance in helping the franchise reach a breakthrough Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinals appearance was worth the risk and one-year wait.

Williams delivered clutch three-point baskets with less than three minutes left in Game 4 to break Rain or Shine’s spirit as the FiberXers closed the best-of-five series with a 120-109 victory on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In just his second conference since Converge acquired his services in a trade with TNT for Jordan Heading in June last year, the two-time PBA champion and two-time Finals Most Valuable Player led the four-year-old franchise to the Final Four.

“We don’t have any regrets with that trade to get Mikey. I know Mikey can help the team. Mikey can contribute to the team,” FiberXers head coach Delta Pineda said.

“Mikey’s experience is a huge factor, especially in the quarterfinals and in this coming semifinals,” he added.

Converge made a surprising move in June last year when it traded prolific scorer and heady playmaker Heading to the Tropang 5G for Williams’ rights.

TNT terminated the Filipino-American’s contract in November 2023 after he stopped showing up for games. He led amid issues with his three-year extension he signed the year before.

It took the FiberXers months before getting Williams to sign a one-year contract on 4 March, ending his three-year hiatus from the PBA.

“No regrets in taking him. It’s a good decision. It’s a team decision. It’s the owner’s decision. It’s a good decision,” Pineda stressed.

In the pivotal Game 4, Williams drilled crucial back-to-back triples to push Converge’s lead to eight, 115-107, with 2:42 remaining after the Elasto Painters got to within two.