MANILA – Kelly Williams made his PBA return after a brief retirement as he signs a two-year deal with the TNT Tropang GIGA ahead of the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup next month.
Tropang GIGA team manager Gabby Cui confirmed the return of the one-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardee after he opted not to join the TNT team in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup bubble tournament last year.
“We would like to welcome Kelly back to TNT Tropang GIGA,” Cui said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. “His leadership and experience will help us achieve success in the coming conference.”
Prior to Cui’s announcement, the social media were abuzz with the return of the one-time PBA MVP awardee as he was seen in a social media post joining the Tropang GIGA practice.
The PBA return of the 39-year-old Williams came weeks after the Tropang GIGA brought back Vincent “Chot” Reyes as its head coach in lieu of Ilonggo Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, who was relegated to one of TNT’s assistant coaches.
Williams had his best years in the league during Reyes’ first stint as head coach of the Tropang GIGA franchise and their partnership has produced four PBA championships, including three consecutive PBA Philippine Cup titles.
“When I was asked to come back (as head coach), I asked (the TNT management) ‘What’s the status of Kelly?’ When management told me they’re open, I messaged him right away,” Reyes said in an interview with Sports 5.
“I and Kelly got together, we had a serious heart-to-heart conversation, and I’m very happy he’s back,” added Reyes, who was the one who convinced Williams to try his luck in the Philippines in 2005.
Williams was drafted top-overall by Sta. Lucia Realtors in the 2006 PBA Rookie Draft. He won Rookie of the Year, MVP, and championship with the squad before he was traded to the Tropang GIGA where he won five more PBA titles.
Williams stunned the PBA late last year when he announced his retirement from PBA, a move that Tropang GIGA team governor Ricardo Vargas described as “absence without leave.”/PN
