Realtors give ailing Kelly full support

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia is giving Kelly Williams its full support so the 2008 PBA MVP awardee could recover fast from his ailment and resume his career in the pro league.

Sta. Lucia governor and team manager Buddy Encarnado told The STAR they’re certainly not abandoning Williams even as the Fil-Am forward’s contract is to expire next month.

Williams has just undergone a four-day treatment at the Makati Medical Center, costing Sta. Lucia almost P1 million in the process.

“His sickness is not work related but we foot the bill. We, at Sta. Lucia, treat our players as family members. We will stick with him. We’ll sign him to another contract with the maximum pay allowed in the league,” said Encarnado.

“We have exerted extra effort of looking for the best possible treatment to hasten his recovery. Hopefully, he gets well soon,” Encarnado added.

In his four-day treatment at the Makati Med, Williams was given steroid (prednisone) and antibodies (intravenous immune globulin) that can help him recover quickly.

Williams is down with a blood disorder (immune thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP), causing him to miss the crucial stage of the 2008-09 Fiesta Conference and a sure slot in the Powerade RP team for the FIBA-Asia championship in Tianjin, China.

Meanwhile, Barako Bull owner George Chua assured the PBA board of governors in a letter yesterday that his team is keeping its participation in the pro league.

“We’re here to stay,” said Tony Chua, representing Barako Bull in the board meeting. held at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

PBA commissioner Sony Barrios sought communication from Barako Bull following a complaint lodged by John Arigo on late salary payment.

“We’ll take care of that. We’re just encountering some problems since we’re on a transition period,” said Tony Chua.

“We’re building a new team. We will spring a surprise,” Chua added.

To start their buildup, the Energy Boosters acquired Rob Wainwright and Mark Andaya from Rain or Shine in exchange for Jeff Chan.