Kelly Williams reversed the role from a heartbreaking championship defeat more than a decade ago and eventually kept TNT’s Grand Slam hopes alive and well.
This time, Williams sank two pressure-packed free throws that enabled the Tropang 5G to survive the Magnolia Hotshots, 80-79, on Saturday to secure a trip to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
“First of all, mine was really a foul,” Williams told The Inquirer after the thrilling quarterfinal rubber match amid the heavy downpour outside Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Williams was referring to getting fouled by Ian Sangalang with two seconds left as he was going for a tip following Jordan Heading’s four-point attempt off the inbound. A 56-percent free-throw shooter, the veteran converted both to put TNT back in front.
TNT would deny Magnolia the chance to win on the ensuing play, completing a hard-fought result that came despite entering the quarterfinals needing to defeat its opponent twice after failing to make the top four.
Williams was one of the heroes of the contest, and the manner of how he got TNT the lead back was like poetic justice in some way.
In Game 7 of the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Williams found himself getting called for a disputed foul on Denzel Bowles with a second left of the decider between TNT and Magnolia, then known as B-Meg.
Bowles would make two foul shots that forced overtime, and B-Meg would go to win the crown.
“Honestly, that [incident] was nowhere near my mind,” said Williams, who said his most urgent concern at that crucial moment of the game was to get the rebound after Heading’s miss.
“I know that my role is to make sure that when a shooter shoots, [I’m ready if it misses], whether it’s another possession or a putback just like in that situation. And just like what I’ve been saying, I want to honor Coach Chot for trusting me, for bringing me back when he came back [as TNT coach].
“Making those free throws was a part of that,” the 43-year-old center said.
Fouled at the back
TNT will face either NLEX or Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven semifinal series which starts on Wednesday and could be played at Mall of Asia Arena. The Road Warriors and Elasto Painters were disputing the last semifinal berth at press time.
The Tropang 5G almost came close to seeing their Triple Crown bid come to an end, squandering a 74-67 lead in the fourth and then allowed the Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang to score an open layup, with time down to six seconds, that put TNT behind by a point.
Reyes drew up a play for Heading to go for an outside shot. The lefty guard missed and Williams went for a tip after the miss, before officials blew a whistle after being fouled at the back by Rafi Reavis.
And that set the stage for Williams to extend TNT’s historic quest for at least another round.
