TNT is ‘expecting the worst’ after Kelly Williams is said to have pulled a calf in its PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal duel with Phoenix Super LPG Wednesday.
The 41-year-old is feared to be out for the season due to the severity of his injury, which he incurred late in the first period of their eventual 132-105 win.
“He might have a season-ending injury,” said head coach Jojo Lastimosa shortly after the match at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “I think pulled calf, and that doesn’t go away very quickly. We’re expecting the worst in Kelly.”
Williams going down came at a bad time for TNT as it likely won’t have the 2008 MVP in the semis later this week against either Magnolia or Meralco.
The 6-foot-6 center has been producing with averages of 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists prior to the playoffs and that, plus of course his veteran presence itself, will be badly missed by the Tropa.
Lastimosa, however, isn’t worried about the five-spot thinning out should Williams really be ruled out with Poy Erram back in tow.
Out since November following a knee procedure, the 6-foot-8 slotman played for five minutes against the Fuel Masters and had six points and three rebounds.
Then there’s alsi Dave Marcelo, who filled the news two weeks ago after ruling the Obstacle Challenge in the PBA All-Star in Passi.
“Kailangan gamitin ko na siya nang maaga, hindi late. But Dave is still there, so meron pa rin kaming isang singko na pwedeng tumulong samin. Although offensively challenged lang si Dave, but he can hold his own defensively,” said Lastimosa.
“So having Poy come back at this time now knowing Kelly might not be there, I’m not too worried about our position at the five.”
