Players of the Week Jan. 4 to 10

LIKE men obsessed.

This is the most apt description coaches are wont to give Sta. Lucia Realty's Kelly Williams and Barangay Ginebra's JC Intal after said players boosted their respective team’s campaigns in the heated homestretch of the 2009-10 KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

The Realtor workhorse and equally indefatigable King came up with solid numbers to backstop their teams to two much-needed wins in as many games, earning for them the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps Co-Players of the Week honors for the period January 4 to 10.

It was the second such citation for Williams, who along with Alaska's LA Tenorio shared the scribes’ nod for the period Nov. 16-22.

The former Rookie of the Year and season MVP winner averaged 20.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocked shot in Sta. Lucia's victories over Rain or Shine and Burger King, jacking the Realtors' win-loss record to 9-6 and in a very good position to claim an outright quarterfinals berth.

“Kelly had been working hard since he was given the go-signal to play,” said SLR coach Boyet Fernandez of the forward still to fully recover from the blood disorder that sidelined him in the latter stages of the last season-ending Fiesta Conference.

“As his coach I'm so happy and proud of him. The last two games were an indication of how Kelly is doing to get back his game. He's been acting as the leader of this team. I do hope and pray that he will recover fully from his illness,” added Fernandez.

For Williams, it is simply a matter of doing what he and his teammates can for the entire Realtors organization.

“We have been working hard as a team and I'm impressed at how the team is responding to coach Boyet's challenges to work hard,” said Williams.

“With one of the best defenders in the league in Ryan (Reyes), one of the best offensive players in Joseph (Yeo), then guys like Josh (Urbiztondo), Gabby (Espinas) and Dennis (Daa) to fill in the rest of the gaps, it makes my job a lot easier than before,” he added.

“If we keep playing hard and together, the next couple of weeks we might be where most thought we wouldn't. I'll just continue to do my part.”

Intal would not let Williams take sole possession of centerstage, not when he seemingly lost little of the fiery touch he displayed just before the league took a 12-day holiday break.

The 6-foot-4 forward who scored a career-high 20 points in a 106-97 Christmas Day win over Coca-Cola averaged 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in Ginebra's victories over Talk N Text and Alaska, improving the Kings' record to 11-6 and ensconcing them at third place.

Kings coach Jong Uichico said Intal's effort to improve on his game is the primary reason why the former Ateneo Blue Eagle is having a break-out conference.

“He is playing to his potential because he is a hard worker and is willing to work on his weaknesses,” said the grizzled mentor. (NC)