Williams finally goes to Tropang Texters

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text and Sta. Lucia Realty finally reached a deal Wednesday night with the former acquiring not just Kelly Williams but another blue-chip player in Ryan Reyes and rookie Charles Waters in exchange for five players.

With Williams already with the Smart-PLDT franchise, top official Ricky Vargas said he will now seek the PBA board’s approval for Williams’ stint with the Smart Gilas RP team in future international competitions.

“Forget the FIBA Asia Champions Cup because it will be held a few days from now. We’re looking at the FIBA Asia Olympic qualifier,” Vargas told The STAR.

Sta. Lucia released Williams, Reyes and Waters to Talk n Text in exchange for Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Yousif Aljamal, Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor.

Earlier, Talk n Text got Aljamal and Menor from Barako Energy Coffee for Mark Isip and the Texters’ second round pick in the 2010 rookie draft.

“With the addition of Ryan Reyes, we have surplus of talent at the backcourt. I told coach Chot (Reyes) we have a ‘good problem’, now the challenge begins,” said Vargas.

“Obviously, I’m happy about our acquisitions but sad to see our guys leave as we’ve been playing great team ball and they’re integral to our chemistry,” said Reyes.

The new TnT acquisitions suit up with the Texters as they clash with Coca-Cola and new import Rashad Bell at resumption of the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Alaska Milk and Rain or Shine, tied at fifth place with 4-4 records, slug it out in the 7:30 p.m. main game.

“It’s going to be a game fraught with so much uncertainty. We must find a way to play with greater urgency than Coke with their new import,” said Reyes.

Sta. Lucia governor and team manager Buddy Encarnado said they gave up Williams and Ryan with a heavy heart.

Encarnado was in tears after informing Williams and Reyes of the development minutes after the Sta. Lucia-Alaska game Wednesday night.

“It’s beyond me,” Encarnado told The STAR.

Williams, the 2007 Rookie of the Year awardee and 2008 MVP, will now play under Reyes, the very person who discovered him while in his final year in the US NCAA.

Reyes brought the 6-foot-4 forward in the country to play for the RP team in the Tianjin FIBA Asia championship in 2007.

If not for a blood disorder problem he suffered, Williams could have also played for the RP team in the 2009 Asian joust.