KELLY Williams remains in the US and the likelihood of him not being available for TNT in its title retention drive for the PBA Governors’ Cup is not lost on coach Chot Reyes.
The champion mentor admitted the Tropang 5G is ready to compensate if and when the former league MVP will not be able to join the team for the rest of the season-ending conference.
READ: TNT gets PBA playoffs bid back on track with romp over Terrafirma
“We are preparing this tournament as if wala na, wala na talaga,” said Reyes about the possibility of the 44-year-old Fil-Am returning.
“He has a lot on his plate right now caring for his two boys, his family, and all that.”
Williams has missed the entire third conference after going home to the US during the long season break. He last played for the Tropang 5G during Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals against Barangay Ginebra, which TNT lost, 88-76.
In his absence along with another veteran big man in Poy Erram, the team has been left with a huge hole in the middle, according to Reyes.
But the TNT coach gave a huge shout out to Henry Galinato, who finished with 13 points in TNT’s runaway 116-92 win over Terrafirma on Wednesday night when the final tournament of Season 50 resumed at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Reyes said the improved plays of Galinato will help TNT move forward without Williams in the lineup.
“We’re really banking on Henry (Galinato),” said the TNT coach. “But the real test will be playing against June Mar (Fajardo) and a very big San Miguel team. We just have to compensate against that lineup.”
TNT will next face San Miguel on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
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