ELEVEN years ago, Arwind Santos and Kelly Williams were in San Andres Gym in Manila, celebrating with their mates, as the Magnolia Ice Cream Wizards clinched the 2006 PBL Heroes Cup crown in five games at the expense of Rain or Shine.
That proved to be the last time that they enjoyed a championship together, however.
Both men then entered the pro league that year. Williams was drafted by the Sta. Lucia Realtors as the first overall pick, while Santos was picked second by the Air21 Express. From there, the two made their respective marks in the pro ranks.
Williams and Santos have been league Most Valuable Players once in their careers. The 6-foot-6 Fil-American won the plum earlier in 2008, while the 6-foot-4 Kapampangan got the award in 2013.
And aside from individual accolades, both players have also racked up numerous titles. Williams is a six-time champion — one with Sta. Lucia and five with TNT — while Santos has earned five rings, all with San Miguel.
A lot has happened over the course of 11 years for both cagers. They have played against each other in the playoffs for seven times, with the most recent one back in the 2017 Philippine Cup where SMB won in seven games and eventually bagged home the crown.
Now, the former teammates’ paths will cross paths once more, this time in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, where they aim to help their respective teams end their own versions of title droughts in the mid-season conference.
“This is a special opportunity, and we’ll try our best to take advantage of the opportunity and just enjoy along the way,” said the 35-year-old Williams at the Finals press conference, Monday, at Sambokojin in Eastwood City.
And Santos has always kept tabs on Williams, especially back in 2014 when the latter’s health problems forced him to take a break from the game.
“Nung time na nagkaroon siya ng problema [sa helth] akala ko hindi na siya makakabalik. Kaming mga players alam namin yung mga nangyayari sa kapwa naming player,” Santos shared.
The two may have that special bond that traces over a decade ago, but they know that it’s business as usual as they vie for the coveted crown.
“As far as the series goes, I’m just focused on my team and what I can do to help the team in whatever capacity. Its’ never a one on one thing because it’s a team sport,” said the Detroit, Michigan-born Williams. “One hundred percent of my focus is on what coach Nash needs from me and what my team needs from me.”
“Magkasama kaming naglaro sa PBL — hindi na namin tinitingnan kung kelan kami magkakaharap,” reflected the 36-year-old Santos, on the other hand.
Santos, whose Beermen are heavily-favored by many to win over the Katropa, is aware that claiming the crown will never be a walk in the park, given the fact that TNT have enough tools to match up with them fair and square.
“Mahirap magbilang kung ilang games, masasabi ko lang hindi ganoon kadali talunin ang TNT,” the two-time Defensive Player of the Year iterated.
And another chapter will be written on this rivalry starting Wednesday, June 21.
