Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
There’s an extra oomph in Kelly Williams’ game on Friday.
Seemingly turning back the hands of time, the 35-year-old was all over the court when TNT opened its campaign in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup against Rain or Shine, with him skying for rebounds, hustling for loose balls, and even delivering rim-rattling dunks.
Williams wound up with 11 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes on the floor as he was one of the few positives coach Nash Racela can look at for the KaTropa.
“Kelly showed it last season. The expectation this conference, this season was to continue what he was doing previously,” Racela said.
The 2008 PBA Most Valuable Player, however, feels that he’s still far from his peak form.
“I still don’t feel as conditioned as I was before at this point.”
He’ll gladly take this one, though, as he looks to follow up a strong showing last season that saw him win his second Bogs Adornado Comeback Player of the Year award and a spot in the Mythical Second Team.
“My body feels good. I think it’s more so on my mind that’s getting healthier. I’m just trying to keep myself healthier, eat right. I’m thankful that people notice the difference,” he said, owing his resurgence to his improved conditioning.
“When you get older, you got to pay more attention to your body, listen to it and take care of it, eat right, get rest, and workout. That’s what I’m trying to do,” he said.
Also playing a factor for Williams’ vintage form is TNT’s youth revolution, with the Fil-Am forward admitting that he feels rejuvenated playing with young guns like Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario.
“The PBA has always been a young man’s league. I knew that early on when I came in. And I know you just got to prepare for it,” he said.
Despite serving as one of the KaTropa’s elder statesmen, Williams is hell-bent on representing the league’s seniors as he seeks to contribute alongside these fresh bloods.
“I hope to see more from myself and I expect more from myself. We’ll see,” he said.