Jordan Williams is proving Terrafirma right of its decision to hire his services now that he’s given the club reasons to celebrate in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The 32-year-old lifted the Dyip to their second win Thursday night, erupting for a conference-high 57 points on a 52.9-percent shooting clip along with 11 rebounds and five assists to star in their 119-106 conquest of Blackwater.
“It’s basically just the confidence from my teammates and my coach,” he said shortly after his sterling outing at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“They trust me to be the leader and take over when it’s time to finish the game. Just shoutout to my teammates for trusting in me, and believing in me.”
Williams also played a big role in their 96-88 stunner of the erstwhile-unbeaten Meralco last January 28 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. scattering 29 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and five steals.
Now, Terrafirma has improved to 2-2, the first time it has gone .500 in the season-ending tournament since 2019 with Khapri Alston in tow.
Morale is of course sky-high over at the Dyip side thanks to the seasoned pro, who was not even the team’s first choice for the ongoing cage wars.
No less than head coach Johnedel Cardel disclosed as much although he could no longer recall the name of their original pick, who had decided to accept a more lucrative offer that led to the team signing Williams instead.
“Actually, ‘di siya yung first choice namin e. Kaya lang ‘ung first choice namin, pumirma ng mas mataas na offer,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“Then, I saw Jordan. Sabi ko, ‘Pwede na ‘to.’ Tutal Jordan ‘yung pangalan, baka maging Jordan,” the cager turned mentor added with a chuckle.
Williams didn’t have the debut he hoped for as his crew lost to Jamaal Franklin and Converge, 130-115, last January 26. But it was evident then that he’s no pushover as he led the team with 46 points and six rebounds.
Three weeks later, Terrafirma would find itself sitting in seventh place in the team standings — undeniably a rare situation for the team.
And that’s huge thanks to the American, who’s now averaging 40.5 points on 48.2-percent shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks.
But as talented as his prized import is, what makes Cardel beam with much pride is the humility Williams possesses that endears him to the organization.
“Napakabait na import,” he said. “First time ko magkaroon ng import na soft-spoken, napaka-down to earth — lahat ng drills sinasamahan.
“Kaya sabi ko, lucky tayo rito. Even siguro 6’10” ang import [conference], kukunin ko pa rin ‘to e. Kukunin ko pa rin ‘to, kasi magandang ehemplo siya sa team namin,” the 52-year-old bench tactician added.
“Nakakagana.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
