Former MVP Kelly Williams slowly getting back in shape

FOR A MAN who had been out of the game for seven months, former PBA MVP Kelly Williams, whose mother is from Cebu, sure did not look like he missed out on the action as he started for the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters and helped them nab an 89-80 win over the Meralco Bolts in their opening game of the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Williams scored a total of 10 points but provided equal portions of hustle and energy on defense to offset the absence of big man Ranidel de Ocampo and guard Ryan Reyes.

But the game was a long time coming for the 2007 MVP as he is coming from a seven-month layoff due to his illness—idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura—a rare blood disorder.

“It feels good to be out here with the guys. I’ve watched these guys on live streaming from the US for seven months and it’s been really tough on me,” said Williams, who also had a homecoming of sorts owing to the fact that his mother Andrea hails from Cebu.

Williams admitted to not being entirely 100 percent but added that he is a work in progress. “I’m getting there. I feel like I’m at 70 percent where I want to be but it felt good out there today and it’s just going to get better.”

With a team that added new pieces in his absence, Williams said that he has high hopes for this team, especially with their quest to win a fourth straight All-Filipino crown.

“I’m pretty excited about this season,” he quipped.