TnT Tropang Giga missed the services of former MVP Kelly Williams in the opener of its PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against San Miguel.
The veteran forward, who came out of a brief retirement this season, was placed under the league's health and safety protocols on Sunday.
TnT though, got plenty of contributions from its other big men to escape with an 89-88 win.
"The key was us believing that we can win despite the absence of Kelly (Williams)," said coach Chot Reyes in the post game press conference. "You know how big Kelly plays here. But for us, its how to believe that we can win despite of."
Williams is averaging 7.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his comeback season with the Tropang Giga.
In the absence of Williams, Poy Erram and Troy Rosario came through with a combined 29 points and nine rebounds as they held their own against six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
"There's no one person who could fill the shoesof Kelly Williams. Those are such big shoes," admitted Reyes.
"But the guys believed and it showed in the way they played tonight."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
