TNT Tropang Giga veteran forward Kelly Williams during Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Kelly Williams had an early exit in TNT’s Game 1 win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals after hurting his calf.
In the early part of the first quarter, Williams went up for the layup but landed awkwardly. He was subbed out for Poy Erram and wouldn’t return.
“Unfortunately, when he missed the wide open layup, he tweaked something on his left calf muscle,” said coach Chot Reyes after their 90-81 win over the Elasto Painters at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals
“We hope it’s nothing serious but he couldn’t put any weight on it. People know that Kelly is our primary import defender, we’ll need a lot of him so we’re praying it’s something that he can recover from.”
Fortunately, the Tropang Giga kept at it without Williams and still took the series-opening lead over coach Yeng Guiao and company.
Reyes said it was Williams bumself who had asked to be sent to the bench after feeling the discomfort of his calf.
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“H was the one who asked to be subbed out he really felt something on his calf from the start so we had to replace him… It’s a good thing that we got good games from Poy (Erram) and Henry (Galinato),” said the veteran tactician.
In the absence of the veteran, Erram posted five points and four rebounds for TNT, while Galinato went scoreless but forced Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller to struggle from the field with a 7-for-19 shooting night for 18 points.
Williams will undergo some times to determine whether he could compete for TNT for the rest of its best-of-seven affair with Rain or Shine.
“They’ll do an ultrasound or whatever tonight to have a better understanding of what’s really going on but all we can do now is hope. That’s all we can do; hope,” Reyes said.
The Tropang Giga hopes to have Williams’ services on Friday when they take on Rain or Shine for game 2 of the semis at Araneta Coliseum.