Kelly Williams came through in dire straits as TNT escaped Magnolia, 80-79, to overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage and advance to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals, Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The 43-year-old was poise personified, knocking down the go-ahead free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining. He made Rafi Reavis pay for committing an over-the-back foul while he tried to clean up Jordan Heading’s missed four.
A stop on the other end was all enough for the Tropang 5G to erupt in jubilation and bask in their accomplishment by blowing the quarterfinal incentive of their long-time corporate rivals toward reaching the Final Four.
“Kung hindi na-rebound ni Kelly, edi wala tayo rito ngayon,” reflected coach Chot Reyes. “We’re lucky Kelly made those two free throws. If it went into overtime, I don’t know if we could have lasted an extra five minutes.”
Williams went on to finish with 10 points and 10 rebounds, once again coming through with a clutch shot just as he did back in their first game. There, he knocked down a booming trey to help complete the rally.
His heroics, furthermore, enabled TNT to come out triumphant despite losing another guard in Brian Heruela, who suffered a severe ankle sprain last game.
Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana produced identical numbers of 18 points and seven rebounds to lead the Tropang 5G, with the win marking a double celebration for the former as he joined the PBA’s 5,000 points club.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser supplied 12 points and five rebounds as he was crucial in their counterattacks, especially during the second half.
Now, TNT will await the winner between Rain or Shine and NLEX for its opponents in the best-of-7 semis, which starts Wednesday.
Zav Lucero, on the other hand, had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Magnolia in the disappointing defeat, which made the Hotshots the franchise with the most number of losses with a twice-to-beat advantage at three.
Ian Sangalang made 14 points, including the short stab to give the team a 79-78 lead with 5.8 seconds left for some glimmer of hope.
But then, Williams happened, and the opposing defense made it difficult for Coach Chito Victolero’s wards to set up a decent play as time expired.
Jerom Lastimosa made 13 points while Aris Dionisio added 12 as most of the young ones stepped up on a night Paul Lee only scored four points.
The Scores
TNT 80 – Oftana 18, Pogoy 18, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Williams 10, Enciso 7, Erram 4, Khobuntin 4, Heading 3, Nieto 2, Aurin 0, Vosotros 0.
Magnolia 79 – Lucero 15, Sangalang 14, Lastimosa 13, Dionisio 12, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 8, Lee 4, Navarro 4, Reavis 0, Alfaro 0, Laput 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15, 41-33, 63-56, 80-79.
