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TNT forward Kelly Williams shoots past San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo. PBA PICTURES
MANILA, Philippines — TNT big man Kelly Williams thrived in his matchup with San Miguel star June Mar Fajardo in the PBA Governor’s Cup on Sunday.
Williams overshadowed the six-time MVP’s subpar performance in the Tropang Giga squeaker 105-103 against the Beermen.
“With any player, when you play against great players, the night before you have to start thinking straight and clear, Juni Mar is one of, if not, the greatest to ever play here. [It’s] definitely one of the toughest challenges,” Williams said.
“I make sure I get extra rest, eat well, calm my mind to prepare for the fight,” he said.
Well prepared, Williams gave TNT a big boost on offense with 16 points on top of three rebounds and two assists. He also made a significant contribution at the defensive end as Fajardo’s main defender.
Despite the significant height difference, Williams limited Fajardo to just 12 points as the shorthanded Tropang Giga escaped with the victory on a buzzer beater by Calvin Oftana.
William’s efforts certainly did not go unnoticed.
“Kelly tonight was huge, of course. He was the best player in the game, but more than that, we know that Kelly against June Mar, he forgot that he is 41. We will need Kelly in the playoffs like all the other guys,” said coach Jojo Lastimosa.
TNT won despite being without one of its best shooters in Roger Pogoy, who suffered an ankle injury in Friday’s 111-104 win over Meralco.
Tropang Giga then had to do without another star in Mikey Williams in the middle of Saturday’s game after the hot-shooting swingman went down with his own ankle injury just before halftime.
Despite the injury, Lastimosa and Williams assured TNT (8-1) still has the pieces to maintain its hot start in the conference finals of the season.
“These guys are built for this. I know there’s a playoff atmosphere here with San Miguel and we’re at 7-1, I expect a lot from this game. […] health-wise, Mikey, I don’t know how long it will be out. Roger will also be out for a while,” the top coach said.
“The last conference prepared us for times like this. We know that, of course, one person can fill the shoes of Roger or Mikey. The coach told us at half time, everyone should be ready,” said Williams, who was recently called up for the national team duty.
TNT aims to consolidate its top spot against Northport at the PhilSports Arena on March 15.
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