Williams named PBA MVP in Sta. Lucia’s night

MANILA, Philippines – Kelly Williams could get away with a fashion blunder. Because it was on a night he was crowned the Philippine Basketball Association season Most Valuable Player. Williams became the first Sta. Lucia player to be awarded the highest individual honor in the PBA awards night held Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. It was a double celebration for Sta. Lucia, which saw Ryan Reyes take home the Rookie of the Year award. “It’s about time," said team manager Buddy Encarnado, referring to the team’s two major individual awards. When Williams was drafted in 2004 and Reyes last year, this was the kind of season that Sta. Lucia envisioned. The Realtors won their first All-Filipino championship last February, Williams was named the Best Player of the Philippine Cup and for the first time in years, the franchise feels like it can truly contend in any tournament. “It really was a memorable season for me," said Williams, who paired his white barong and khaki pants with sneakers. “I’m expecting more from the team, from my teammates in the coming seasons. This is the icing on the cake. God is really good." Williams, who averaged 18.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, was a hands-down choice in a list of contenders that included Arwind Santos of Air21, Willie Miller of Alaska and Jay-Jay Helterbrand of Ginebra. The Sta. Lucia forward garnered 2,762 votes from the media, players, ABC-% and the PBA to go with 638 statistical points. Santos was a far second with 1,775 votes and Helterbrand third with 1,158. Williams led the Mythical First Team that also had Santos and Asi Taulava of Coke at the frontline and the pair of Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa at the backcourt. The Mythical Second Team was composed of Miller and Cyrus Baguio at the backcourt and Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods, Sonny Thoss of Alaska and Nelbert Omolon of Sta. Lucia. Williams is the fourth US-raised Filipino to win the award after Ricky Brown of Great Taste, Taulava and Eric Menk of Ginebra. The Williams-Reyes twin awards is the fourth pair of teammates to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Allan Caidic (MVP) and Gerry Esplana of Great Taste did it in 1990, Ato Agustin (MVP) and Bong Ravena of San Miguel in 1992, and Taulava (MVP) and Jimmy Alapag of Talk ’N Text in 2003. Williams also made it to the Defensive Team along with teammate Reyes, Santos, Marc Pingris of Purefoods and Wynne Arboleda of Air21. Baguio was chosen Most Improved Player while Ali Peek of Talk ’N Text won the Sportsmanship Award. – GMANews.TV