ROOKIE Mikey Williams struggled a bit in his PBA debut, but not TnT Tropang Giga which proved to be sharp as unit in a 79-69 win over Rain or Shine to remain unbeaten in the Philippine Cup.
Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, and Glenn Khobuntin all finished in double figures for the team to make up for Williams' slow start that saw the no. 4 overall pick going just 2-of-10 from the field to finish with seven points.
Pogoy and Rosario had 13 points each, while Khobuntin added 10 in the win that came almost two weeks after the Tropang Giga last saw action.
TnT now has a 2-0 record for solo second in the standings behind Magnolia (4-0).
Coach Chot Reyes admitted not expecting much from the 28-year-old Williams in his first game with the franchise after coming over in the country almost a few days before the season started.
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"I will be the first to tell you that it was far from impressive. However, it is pretty evident that he gets his teammates involved. And I think the good part here is that his teammates like playing with him," said the TnT mentor.
"But these are small steps, baby steps for us as a team."
Despite the two-week layoff after being put in isolation, the Tropang Giga never showed any effect of inactivity, starting the gun on the Elasto Painters and leading the game majority of the way.
TnT led by as many as 16 points.
Rain or Shine suffered a second straight loss after a strong 3-0 start to the season.
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Javee Mocon led the Elasto Painters with 22 points, while Mark Borboran added 12. (RG)
The scores
TNT (79) -- Rosario 13, Pogoy 13, Khobuntin 10, Castro 9, M. Williams 7, Heruela 6, Alejandro 6, K. Williams 6, Montalbo 5, Erram 4, Marcelo 0.
RoS (69) -- Mocon 22, Borboran 12, Johnson 7, Caracut 6, Norwood 6, Torres 5, Ponferada 5, Nambatac 4, Wong 2, Belga 0, Santillan 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19; 43-33; 64-52;79-69.
