Kelly Williams has fully embraced change, and that has boded well not only for himself but for TNT as well, especially for their Grand Slam aspirations.
The 2008 MVP hit the most crucial of shots that ultimately helped the Tropang 5G overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage against Magnolia in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals — huge thanks to his openness to growth.
Head coach Chot Reyes himself disclosed that they converted the bruising 43-year-old center into a stretch five, meaning that he won’t just be banging bodies inside but will have to space the floor and shoot from afar, too.
“Actually, it started at the start of this season,” he said moments after their 90-89 victory to oust the Hotshots and advance to the semis, Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “We told Kelly he will now be a spread five.
“Magiging shooter na talaga namin siya. Kaya nakikita niyo pag-kick out sa kanya tinitira talaga niya. Nagagalit ako sa kanya kapag hindi niya tinitira. I don’t care if he makes it. Miss or make, you have to shoot that,” he added.
Thus, the renewed confidence on the part of Williams shooting-wise, especially back in their first KO game against Magnolia last Wednesday.
He knocked down one of two clutch three-pointers for TNT to help complete the rally and eventually leave the Philsports Arena in Pasig with the 89-88 decision, sending the series to a sudden death.
Then, come the winner-take-all, Williams showed up when the going got tough, emerging as the hero they badly needed to fulfill the upset.
There, the 10-time league champion was a picture of poise, hitting both of his charities to erase a 78-77 deficit with 2.7 seconds left to play.
Soon, all of the squad would erupt in joy as they found themselves blowing their corporate rivals’ twice-to-beat bonus to advance to the semis. They will face the winner between NLEX and Rain or Shine in a best-of-7 affair.
Williams has done heroic moments countless times in his illustrious career, but winning a game through free throws was something foreign even to him.
Still, he feels proud and at the same time thankful for the trust not just of his long-time mentor, but of the entire Tropang 5G as well.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won a game with free throws. To kind of do it back-to-back, more or less, it’s kind of an anomaly for my career,” he quipped.
“But I’m just grateful to have opportunities like this, to have coach Chot’s trust, to be in a position to be able to win a game with free throws and play in the late stretches,” he added.
“I’m just grateful to be here.”
Reyes is as proud, of course, of the 6-foot-6 Williams, who finished the quarterfinals with averages of 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.
“He has put in so much time in practice shooting — with his three points and his free throws. He really put in the work and he put in the effort, and it showed in the last couple of conferences, specifically in the last two games,” he said.
#WATCH: Kelly Williams credits Coach Chot Reyes’ motivation for putting him in the right place at the right time in TNT’s clutch win over Magnolia to book a spot in the #PBA2025 Philippine Cup semis
🎥 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/hmopmJMnQF
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 21, 2025
