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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider After long wait, Mikey Williams glad to be back in PBA

After long wait, Mikey Williams glad to be back in PBA

Published Mar 12, 2026 12:16 pm

At A Glance

  • After an almost three-year hiatus, the two-time Finals MVP was just happy to finally be back on the PBA court after seeing action in Converge's 102-94 victory over Macau to open its Commissioner's Cup campaign.


It was a long wait but all worth it for Mikey Williams.

After an almost three-year hiatus, the two-time Finals MVP was just happy to finally be back on the PBA court after seeing action in Converge’s 102-94 victory over Macau to open its Commissioner’s Cup campaign.

Williams got his feet wet of the PBA action when he checked into the contest at the start of the final frame, orchestrating the late breakaway that saw the FiberXers unload a 14-4 rally to take the first win of the mid-season conference.

The 34-year-old playmaker had to shake off the cobwebs, missing on all of his four shots from the field although he contributed three assists and two rebounds and was a +11 when he was on the court.

“I just felt good to be out there. It took about one or two minutes ‘till I realized that I was really out there. I’m glad I got a good little sweat in,” said Williams, who last played in the PBA in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup when he was still with TNT.

A long and arduous contract negotiations ensued between the two camps from there eventually leading to the Tropang 5G sending his rights to the FiberXers in exchange for Jordan Heading in June last year.

“Felt like it was built up for a cool minute. Time after time, not being able to do what I love to do. That’s the hardest thing to fathom. I was just happy to touch the floor and be able to bounce the ball again,” he added, reflecting on the years he missed while away from the PBA.

Even on his first game back, Williams actually had to wait for the Letter of Clearance from FIBA to finally play before finally getting fielded — much to the delight of the fans inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“There was an issue going on so we were just trying to figure that out so that I can play. I’m just glad that everything was cleared up and our coach gave me the go-ahead that I could play,” he added.

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