JOHNATHAN Williams is back with Phoenix Super LPG two years after he captured the Best Import award, the trophy of which he wasn't able to receive personally.
Williams led the Fuelmasters to a semifinal finish during the 2023-24 (Season 48) Commissioner's Cup, bowing to Magnolia during the series.
The Best Import plum was given during the finals between San Miguel and Magnolia, and Williams was longer in the country by then.
READ: Phoenix Super LPG stuns TNT in OT on Tyler Tio's last-gasp trey
When asked about the award he won that year, Williams said he was thankful to his former coach Jamike Jarin, and his teammates for making it possible, some of which are no longer with the team.
“I just want to give thanks to God. Also, I couldn't have done it without my teammates. I had a great coaching staff back then too. Coach Jamike was a great coach, and he helped me a lot along the way.”
“I had a lot of vets on that team like RJ (Jazul), a lot of the guys. So credit to them. I give thanks to them too,” he added.
Williams comes back to the Fuelmasters with aspirations of replicating the finish of the Season 48 Commissioner's Cup team that turned out to be the team's last playoff appearance.
Phoenix took a step into the right direction in duplicating that performance when the Fuelmasters beat reigning champion TNT in overtime, 100-97.
Williams had a big role in that win over TNT when he had 22 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, despite only arriving in the country on Friday morning, or on the eve of the game against the Tropang 5G.
“I had a long travel yesterday (Friday). I got in yesterday morning, so it's great to be back. The fans are always awesome. It was a great atmosphere so it was lovely to be back,” said Williams.
Phoenix Super LPG coach Charles Tiu praised Williams for playing through jetlag.
“He just battled it out there,” said Tiu. “Actually, he was telling me before the game na 'Hey, I haven't played in a while.’ He just got off a flight (Friday) at 6 a.m. We had one walkthrough with him. I respect his professionalism. I told him if he can't go, just let me know. But he wanted to battle out there.
“You can see naman na winner talaga siya. That's why he is such a great import. That's why he was the Best Import and this is just one game. Imagine if we can get some time to integrate him to our team. I think it will be great,” he added.
Williams' last international stint was in Korea that just concluded early April with the Suwon KT Sonicboom where he played seven games and averaged 7.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.
“I'm still trying to figure it out,” said Williams, on fitting in to the Phoenix team way different from the last time he played with the squad.
“I was kinda rusty out there. But Ricci (Rivero), Tyler (Tio), Perk (Jason Perkins), and all the rest of the guys, KT (Kenneth Tuffin), they came up and made big shots, got big time stops. I just want to give thanks to my teammates for holding it down out there. They did a great job, and the coaching staff did phenomenal too.”
The 30-year-old Williams isn't promising a repeat of the finish from two years ago but he vows to give it his all
“From my mindset, (win) as many games as I possibly can. I thank Phoenix for giving me an opportunity to come back. I'm going to give it my best,” said Williams.
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