TNT big man Kelly Williams during Game 6 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Mikey Williams may have sank numerous triples and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made big plays to seal the PBA Governors’ Cup championship for TNT, but coach Jojo Lastimosa made sure to acknowledge an unsung hero.
Kelly Williams may not have given the most rambunctious of stat lines but his presence on the defensive end earned the praise of Lastimosa en route to their title-clinching 97-93 Game 6 win over Ginebra at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
“Little by little, he got his wind and timing back. if Kelly wasn’t there with Justin (Chua) also not there, he came at the right time,” said Lastimosa.
Williams finished with only four points and three rebounds but his pesky defense was present for 26 minutes, making it hard for the Gin Kings’ big men to retaliate.
After having recorded 8.1 markers and 5.0 boards per outing in the elimination round prior to his calf injury, Williams made it a point to be more of a defensive juggernaut in the six-game series.
In Game 5 on Wednesday, Williams only tallied five markers and six boards but prevented Christian Standhardinger to reach a 30-piece in the process.
Lastimosa, however, revealed that Williams was cleared a few days before his official return in Game 3, last week.
The reason for the coach’s decision to sit Williams out was simple; he was playing “the long game.”
“Kelly was cleared to play in Game 2 but I didn’t play him. I told him, Kelly, I’m playing the long game here. If I was going to bring him out right away, he might aggravate his calf,” explained the head mentor.
With his newly-won title, Williams is now an eight-time PBA champion.