Williams calls Castro ‘Mr. Hero’

MANILA, Philippines — Mikey Williams earned raves from NBA star Jordan Clarkson but for the Fil-Am gunner, Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals truly belonged to Jayson Castro, whose last-gasp jumper led TNT to an 86-84 thriller.

“That’s Mr. Hero right there,” Williams said of Castro. “He’s made countless shots – big shots – for us in the stretch. He’s the savior.”

Castro saved the night as he conjured an opportunity with 1.6 seconds left to drill in the winning 16-footer just before the final buzzer sounded.

“Tinira ko lang at pumasok,” said the seasoned playmaker. “Maganda rin ang design ng play ni coach (Chot Reyes). Actually para sana kay (RR) Pogoy ‘yun pero nakita ko na wide open ako.”

It took some time for table officials to count Castro’s winning shot.

The series opener last Sunday was a starry affair with Clarkson at ringside.

“Big fan! Mikey Williams got game! TNT!” the Fil-Am NBA player wrote on Twitter.

“That’s love,” Williams, a former G League player, said of Clarkson’s post. “I know him from L.A. I played with him a lot there so I’m familiar with him.”