KELLY Williams had been in countless nerve-racking situations before that he hardly felt anxious taking two free throws with two seconds left in a sudden-death game, and TNT’s season and grand slam bid on the line.
“My confidence level is always high. It’s just in that moment I’m just making sure that I stay focus on what’s at hand and not really feeling the situation or the crowd or whatever,” said the former PBA MVP.
Showing composure and nerves of steel, the 43-year-old Williams canned two pressure-packed free throws in the waning seconds of the Tropang 5G’s do-or-die outing against the Magnolia Hotshots to claim a thrilling 80-79 win and place in the Philippine Cup semifinals Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: Kelly Williams clutch for TNT as it keeps Grand Slam bid alive
The veteran Fil-Am finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards, including an offensive rebound in the final three seconds, his lone offensive board of the game, as he beat fellow ageless warrior Rafi Reavis to the ball that resulted in a foul and the two winning free throws for the grand slam-seeking franchise.
He also went a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line.
Co-incidentally, his split free throw – likewise off an offensive rebound – with six seconds left in their previous game against Magnolia also won TNT the game, 89-88, a win that paved the way for this do-or-die encounter.
“I don’t think I ever won a game on free throws, and kind of do it back-to-back is kind of an anomaly on my career,” said Williams with a smile.
But he was more than glad just to answer the bell for TNT when the team needed it most.
“I’m just grateful to have an opportunity like this to have coach Chot’s (Reyes) trust to be in a position to win a game on two free throws and play in the late stretches,” said the veteran big man who played close to 34 minutes as starter for the Tropang 5G.
TNT will face next the winner of the Rain or Shine-NLEX quarterfinal showdown in the best-of-seven semis starting on Wednesday.
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