By CARLO ANOLIN
TNT veteran Kelly Williams heaved a sigh of relief and expressed satisfaction for his vintage performance in the crucial Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series with the San Miguel Beermen.
Everyone from TNT camp was thrilled with his performance worthy to be retold.
And the San Miguel Beermen?
Well, the Beermen and their supporters were left shaking their heads in disbelief after the 40-year-old former MVP did almost everything on the court.
He grappled like a wrestler, defended six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo very well as if he found a fountain of youth and buried treys with almost razor-sharp precision.
Oh boy, it was a nostalgic night. Indeed.
So at the end of a highly-emotional game, Williams finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in their 102-93 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night, Aug. 31.
His scoring output marks the most points he had made in the post-season since dropping 23 points in TNT’s 106-102 loss against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Governors’ Cup.
As he looks back on his journey back to professional basketball, Williams had to thank head coach Chot Reyes for it.
Reyes, after all, is one of the main reasons why Williams opted to rejoin the Tropang Giga.
“It’s pretty ridiculous, right? Less than two years ago I was sitting on my couch eating Doritos,” Williams jested first shifting into a more serious tone. “But I’ve said it. It’s no question that if this man (Reyes) hadn’t come back, I wouldn’t have. And I’m in no better position and situation again than to be with coach Chot.
“And for myself personally, I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t believe I can be in this position again. We’ve got a great circuit of guys and our coaching staff, everything,” added the seven-time PBA champion.
Williams also expressed gratitude to all the Tropang Giga faithful for the same confidence and support.
“The support, just the unity here, to me has been unmatched. And I’m just grateful to be here.”
Last March 2021, Williams signed a two-year deal with TNT shortly after Reyes also reunited with his old PBA team.
