BACK IN HARNESS
With Kelly Williams back in harness and TNT somewhat at full strength, there’s reason for coach Chot Reyes to feel optimistic as the group stage of the PBA Governors’ Cup enters the homestretch.
“Kelly gives us not only the size but the athletic ability and veteran leadership like tonight in the stretch,” Reyes said after Thursday’s 108-99 victory over the Meralco Bolts at Ninoy Aquino Stadium propelled the Tropang Giga to the top of Group A.
Williams had been out for the start of the season-opening conference due to a calf injury, and his quality minutes provided TNT some additional personnel that eventually keyed its repeat over Meralco, albeit not in a blowout fashion that was seen in the first round.
The 2008 MVP and 2021-22 All-Defensive Team member had nine points, six rebounds and two steals in 15 minutes but had a plus/minus of +7, meaning that the Tropang Giga had outscored the Bolts by that amount when Williams was on the floor.
But Reyes sang praises for his contributions not reflective in the stat sheet.
“We knew [Meralco import] Allen Durham was going to go out and attack us after his so-so performance in our first game against them, so it was important that we had Kelly to be a secondary defender tonight,” said Reyes.
Calvin Oftana played big as well for TNT, leading the team in scoring with 25 points, including a corner three during the fourth after Meralco managed to pull within three for the first time in that period after being down by 14.
Jayson Castro, Kim Aurin and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson were also important in the triumph, TNT’s sixth in seven games, as they all but sealed a quarterfinal seat with three to play in the group stage.
A five-day break for the Tropang Giga will be followed by a stretch of three games in six days to conclude the phase, starting with Magnolia on Tuesday followed by Terrafirma on the 19th and NorthPort on the 21st.
“Three games in one week is going to be very tough for us. We have to be ready,” Reyes said.
Meralco fell to 5-2, still good for second despite a rash of injuries in Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan and Aaron Black.
Durham, who posted 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, carried on for the Bolts despite being sick the past few days.
“There’s no excuses,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “Obviously, you try to be in full force but when the games are tight, you could lose guys.
“With that being said, I think we did well today despite all the injuries.”
