Together again: Kelly reunited with discoverer Chot

Kelly Williams, the do-it-all, former Most Valuable Player had mixed emotions when he left Sta. Lucia Realty Wednesday night. “I had a feeling that would be the last," said Williams regarding the impending trade that was stalled for several days. “Then, right after the game, coach Boyet Fernandez said something to me and I wasn’t looking him in the eye." When Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encaranado broke the news that the trade has been finalized, Williams couldn’t keep his emotions and cried. Time to move on. Williams and Ryan Reyes attended the Talk N Text practice and were warmly welcomed by their new teammates the following day. On game time, Friday night, they didn’t show any signs of difficulties fitting into the team’s system as they played steady basketball en route to steering their new squad to a 103-93 triumph over the Coca-Cola Tigers. For Williams, this will be the new chapter of his storied career. He now has a chance to play for his discoverer, Chot Reyes, who offered him the opportunity of having a basketball career in the Philippines while the young cager was still playing in a Fil-Am tournament in Michigan. As early as four years ago, Reyes really wanted to draft Williams and indications were clear that the fiery mentor might be able to tab the highly-athletic player whom he regarded as the next best thing in the PBA. Sta. Lucia, which owns the first pick in the draft, was previously known as a squad that doesn’t pick Fil-Ams, giving Reyes, then coaching San Miguel Beer, a ray of hope. Alas, the Realtors bended their self-implemented rule to secure the services of the best player coming from the draft. Perhaps, the only opportunity for Williams to play for his discoverer coach was during the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship where the country finished ninth place. Since then, both Williams and Reyes went separate ways until a new opportunity was presented courtesy of this three-team, nine-player trade. Now Williams and Reyes are together again. How do they feel reunited in one team? “It feels good to wear this uniform. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this conference. It’s tough, but it will be a good transition for us as we go along," said Williams. Reyes was excited to finally have the player he had been longing for. “It’s no secret that I’ve been wanting to get him ever since I set my eyes on him. Now, we just have to do it together. But it’s not just Kelly and me. It will be the entire team," added Reyes, whose team is now on a six-game winning roll. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV