Rising Higher: Thank You Kelly

Thank you Kelly
(Photo: Inquirer.net)

This took a while to compose, mostly because this writer was caught up in all things pandemic and trying my best to keep a sane outlook in spite of the now regular "death alerts" on social media. It's pretty much academic by now, never a day goes by wherein you don't see one of your friends mourning the loss of a loved one.

"Condolence" is the new "Kamusta ka na?" in the year 2020.

So before we all start sulking again, let us celebrate the PBA career of one "Machine Gun" Kelly Williams, the former PBA MVP who opted to retire just a few weeks before the PBA restart instead of suiting up for the TNT Giga.

Overall, Williams' best body of work came in his first few years in the PBA. When he starred for the now defunct Santa Lucia Realtors (later on bought by today's Meralco Bolts) alongside aging stars Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino. He led a team of underdogs, with teammates Denok Miranda, Bitoy Omolon, Paolo Mendoza and Joseph Yeo to a title and several deep playoff runs. When the Realtors were about to fold, they sent him to TNT with defensive hound Ryan Reyes where they would enjoy even more title runs together while quietly serving as TNT's pillars with Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo.

I remember watching Williams in the PBL, where his team (Viva was it?) was bannered mostly by UAAP powerhouse FEU stalwarts Miranda and chief rival Arwind Santos. Williams could run, rebound, and basically do all the things you'd want or dream of from a 6"7 wing. He didn't have much of a jumpshot, but prior to Williams we just haven't seen that kind of monster from a local (if Danny Seigle were a legit U.S. 2, then Williams is a 3 who bullied the smaller Filipino competition).

"Ako ang nagtanim, iba ang umani."

I think those were the words rumored to be echoed by one PBA coaching great (Gilas HOF Chot Reyes) when the Realtors picked Williams 1st in 2006. To me, those words weren't of sour-graping. No, it was more like, "this guy is THAT good."

First conference, and the play that made Williams shine? He ripped the 2nd overall pick, Santos, half-court for an easy deuce in a make-or-break playoff game. The Realtors went on to win that game and go deep, while Santos' Air21 had to go back to the drawing board. I enjoyed all the lobs that Alex Cabagnot would throw to Williams. Then later on, we saw a much more controlled version once he got to work with the more cerebral, pass-first guard Miranda and defensive-hound Reyes.

At TNT, Williams would continue to shine. But in a more "team-oriented" manner. He was no longer putting up 18s and 10s. Not because he couldn't, but because TNT was moving to a more Euro style of team ball. One that we all weren't accustomed to at first (while it is all the rave now).

The biggest story of Williams PBA career, for me as a fan, would probably be how he triumphed over a rare blood disorder that sidelined him for a bit. I'm not a medical expert but anytime a premier athlete has to battle a medical condition and continuously take medicine for it, well, that takes a toll on a person physically and mentally. 

And Williams rose above it all.

So here's this writer, a Realtors' fan, saying thank you to Machine Gun Kelly Williams #21. Enjoy retirement!