Williams fit, but not quite, for Team Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines – Kelly Williams has regained his playing weight but said he isn’t strong enough to re-join the Powerade Team Pilipinas in the final stage of its preparation for the FIBA-Asia championship in Tianjin, China Aug. 6-16.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios received this update from Williams himself in a phone conversation where the former informed the latter that RP coach Yeng Guiao is to name his Final 12 for the Asian joust when they play in the Jones Cup in Taipei next month.

“I told him we’re keeping the door open for him (for the Jones Cup). He said he’ll play if he can play,” said Barrios of Williams, who’s nursing a blood disorder problem.

Guiao intends to bring all the RP hopefuls to Taipei for the Jones Cup, which the national coaching staff will use as final basis for the composition of the Powerade Team Pilipinas in the Tianjin world qualifier.

The hopefuls outside of Williams are Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Sonny Thoss, Kerby Raymundo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Arwind Santos, James Yap, Gabe Norwood, Jarred Dillinger, Willie Miller, Jayjay Helterbrand, Cyrus Baguio, Ryan Reyes and fresh RP pool addition Japeth Aguilar.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola top executive JB Baylon, in expressing full support to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, made a commitment to bring the Powerade Team Pilipinas to Tianjin even if the country’s national cage association is suspended by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

The PBA board of governors, in a special meeting, meantime, reiterated its full support to the SBP amidst its continued conflict with the discredited Basketball Association of the Philippines.

“We’ll support the SBP all the way. That’s the only governing body for basketball in the country. All others are pretenders,” said PBA board chair Joaqui Trillo.

The PBA board yesterday held a special meeting where the league trustees in the SBP board gave an update on the FIBA issue in the aftermath of the Baylon-Graham Lim meeting.

“I was pleased with the outcome. JB regrets that he met with Graham Lim now that he understands the whole situation. After the meeting, he stood up and shook hands with me, committing full support to SBP even if we’re suspended by the FIBA,” said Talk n Text governor and SBP vice chair Ricky Vargas.

Lim, a BAP official, is said to be the man sending correspondences to the FIBA.

Baylon met with Lim Wednesday night to inquire about the BAP as he’s concerned with the Coca-Cola investment in the national team.