MANILA, Philippines — Veteran Kelly Williams feels he’s making a new beginning as he returns to the TNT Tropang Giga fold.
Williams unexpectedly called it a career last year in what he described as a “rash decision.” But he missed the game terribly and after talking with comebacking coach Chot Reyes, the 6-foot-6 Fil-Am decided to “unretire” and rejoin TNT’s campaign.
“This is the first time in a long time that I’ve been excited about basketball,” Williams said in the Power & Play program on Radyo Singko.
“It’s a different kind of feeling, a fresh feeling. I’m just looking forward to being out there with my guys, being able to play fully and see what happens.”
TNT was caught by surprise by Williams’ sudden departure from their pre-Philippine Cup training camp and retirement announcement on social media in September last year. Management actually considered him AWOL at that time.
But all’s well now for the PLDT franchise and the 39-year-old forward, who signed on for two years.
He admitted Reyes, with whom he won three PBA championships, had a lot to do to convince him to pick up his sneakers again.
“With Chot back, to me it was a no-brainer,” said the 2008 MVP.
Meanwhile, Williams hopes that like him, young star Bobby Ray Parks Jr. will be able to resolve his issues with TNT. Parks refused to re-sign with the Tropang Giga and announced his “sabbatical” on his Instagram account.