Kelly Williams may not be healthy enough to suit up when TNT tries to go for the jugular in Game 5 of its PBA Philippine Cup semis duel versus Rain or Shine.
That’s based on the assessment of Coach Chot Reyes, as he witnessed the 40-year-old big man sprain his left ankle during the first half of their eventual win over Rain or Shine in Game 4 on Wednesday night.
“I don’t think Kelly can play in the next game,” the champion mentor offered moments after their 107-82 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Hopefully, he can. We’ll see tomorrow. We’ll find out tomorrow after practice.”
Already plagued by injuries, the Tropang 5G could only watch in disbelief as their center went down in pain at the 5:30 mark of the second chapter, with the team playing catch-up as they were down by four.
Williams twisted his ankle when he tried to close out on a shooting Gabe Norwood, but fell onto the floor even before making a single step.
“I saw it. It happened in front of me. It looked really bad when he turned it,” recalled Reyes, as it happened right in front of the team’s bench.
Williams no longer returned to the match, leaving with only six rebounds and a block to his name in the 15 minutes and 28 seconds he played.
That was a massive blow for the Tropa given their predicament, but plenty of others stepped up to the plate. That ultimately allowed the Grand Slam seekers to erect a 3-1 lead and move one win away from the Finals,
“These guys are tough,” lauded Reyes. as a total of four players went on to finish in double figures, with Jordan Heading and Brian Heruela — both of whom have yet to reach full health — providing much-needed stability in the second half.
Game 4 was yet another showcase of depth for TNT, and that could very well be the key as they try to go for the jugular in the potential clincher on Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Still, Reyes wouldn’t want to look far ahead.
His biggest concern right now is how he can maximize the services of the remaining Tropang 5G at his disposal for the next match.
“I’m only concerned if we have enough men because we’re just falling like flies,” he said. “We lost Kelly today, Calvin as well. But just as it has been since Day 1, not only this conference but the entire season, whoever we have, next man up.
“For me going into the next game, my only concern is who do we have, and how can I make the best use out of whoever it is we have left.”
#WATCH: Coach Chot Reyes beamed with pride as Poy Erram, Glenn Khobuntin, and Kim Aurin lit the spark in TNT’s dominant Game 4 win over Rain or Shine 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/yo3VoNH7xS
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/V9ebpo66Dh
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 2, 2025
