KELLY Williams is going nowhere and will remain at TNT.
Despite being relegated to the unrestricted free agent (with right to salary) list, the 44-year-old former MVP is still very much a part of the Tropang 5G’s team for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The move was made while Williams is still in the US.
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Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said the step allows TNT to have more flexibility in its active roster, which saw the Tropang 5G add 6-foot-6 Justin Chua to its lineup to allow Williams to rest and recharge for the coming battle ahead.
Lastimosa added TNT made the move after forging a gentleman’s agreement with Williams that he’s not going to sign with other teams after being put in the unrestricted free agent list.
Players have the freedom to sign with another team once he’s considered as UFA.
The practice is actually nothing new to TNT – or to other teams for that matter.
The Tropang 5G also consigned longtime captain Jayson Castro to the UFAWR2S list while he was still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon injury.
The same case was actually applied to LA Tenorio and Joe Devance at Barangay Ginebra and Beau Belga at Rain or Shine.
But there’s one similar situation in the past that didn’t turn out as planned when Jared Dillinger left Meralco as a UFAWR2S and signed with Barangay Ginebra in 2019.
TNT hopes things don’t end up that way especially with Williams spending the last 16 seasons with the telecommunication franchise.
The contract of the Fil-Am forward with the Tropang 5G runs until the end of Season 50 after being given a contract extension last year when he played an integral role in TNT winning back-to-back championships during the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.
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