TNT’s veteran big man Kelly Williams’ status for the coming PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beer is doubtful as the 43-year-old Filipino-American is still nursing an ankle injury.
Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes bared on Friday in the pre-Finals press conference that Williams is still recuperating from a grade 2 ankle sprain he sustained during his team’s recent semifinal series against Rain or Shine.
“He’s doubtful. That’s why he couldn’t make it here because we wanted to keep him off his feet,” Reyes told media men, referring to the 10-time PBA champion during the press conference held at the Chardonnay by Astoria in Pasig City.
The 6-foot-6 Williams missed TNT’s last two games in the semis, though the grand slam-seeking squad managed to beat Rain or Shine, 97-89, in Game 6 last Sunday to win the series, 4-2.
“It’s a day-to-day situation. But like I said, he’s not even joining our practices as of this morning. So it will be a day-to-day thing,” said the 11-time PBA champion coach.
Williams, the 2008 PBA Most Valuable Player, is one of several TNT players out with an injury.
Gunner Roger Pogoy is also listed as day-to-day since hurting his hamstring in the semifinal series.
Other players out due to injury are veteran star Jayson Castro (knee) and Rey Nambatac (groin).
Without Williams, TNT will have to lean on remaining veteran big man Poy Erram and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to try to contain San Miguel Beer’s star center June Mar Fajardo in the best-of-seven title series.
