Williams to be tapped for Guangzhou

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Kelly Williams will suit up for Smart Gilas in the Guangzhou Asian Games slated Nov. 12-27 in China and not in next week’s 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar.

The PBA has yet to approve the transfer of Williams, who was recently shipped by Sta. Lucia to Talk n Text in a nine-player, three-team deal, to the Nationals, thus the delay in former one-time MVP stint with Gilas in the import-laden Qatar meet slated May 22-30.

“I believe Kelly Williams will play the rest of the PBA Fiesta Conference before suiting up for Smart Gilas. We’re hoping to have in the Asian Games,” said Allan Gregorio, one of Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman’s assistants.

Smart Gilas was actually hoping Williams could join the team in Doha as he was listed in the roster submitted to tournament organizers by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas last month.

But with four days remaining before the Nationals fly to Doha and no “special meeting” by the PBA board yet to take place, it appears that it would be impossible for the high-leaping 6’-foot-7 forward to join the squad.

The recent trade was actually meant to allow Williams to beef up Smart Gilas’ roster and give Toroman an experienced, tall, athletic power forward.

PBA chair Lito Alvarez of Air21 earlier pointed out that loaning Williams to Smart Gilas would need the approval of the board while PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios proposed that a clear-cut rule that would address the need of the national team should be implemented.

It can be recalled that Toroman has long expressed his desire to acquire Williams, who could readily provide not just his athleticism and size but his experience as well, having taken part in past national teams comprising of professionals.

This means Smart Gilas would have to make do without Williams as it leaves on Thursday with hopes of improving on a fifth place finish in last year’s edition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Filipinos are bracketed in Group A with defending champion Iran, Kazakhstan, Iraq and host Qatar while Group B is composed of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.