Players of the Week Nov. 16 to 22
STA. Lucia Realty's Kelly Williams and Alaska's LA Tenorio has one common denominator: Time.
The two are also the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps Co-Players of the Week for the period Nov. 16 to 22, when Williams stressed his continuing efforts to make up for lost time and Tenorio continued to evoke fond memories of a very elite playmaker.
As a result, both the Aces and Realtors are on winning rolls and ensconced in two enviable spots in the Philippine Cup.
Williams is a particular case since, save for a puffed face due to medicinal shots, he is showing little effects of the blood disorder that sidelined him for the latter stages of the last season-ending Fiesta Conference.
Proof is the 20 points, 12 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 blocks the former season MVP and Rookie of the Year averaged in Sta. Lucia's wins over Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull, the last helping push the Realtors to solo fourth-running spot with a 5-3 win-loss slate.
“Kelly has been working double time since he was allowed to play again and it's about time he gets recognition,” noted SLR coach Boyet Fernandez. “I'm happy for him and I just hope he will continue to get healthy and stay in shape.”
For Williams, it is simply a matter of helping put the team back on track following a 69-88 humiliation from San Miguel Beer last Nov. 7 and he first did this to the tune of 26 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks (all game-highs) in a 93-72 rout of the Kings last Wednesday.
“The team really wanted to bounce back from the loss to San Miguel, so we practiced very hard for Ginebra. When the team plays that well, it makes my job a lot easier. The coaches also did a great job preparing us,” stated the 6-foot-6 forward.
There is also additional spur for Williams, whose wife, Erica, gave birth to their first child, Charlie Jermaine, last Tuesday evening.
“I thank Jesus for it all. I m so blessed in so many ways. My son being born the night before (Ginebra game) certainly boosted my motivation. He has added excitement to my personal outlook of my career,” stated the man who is the league leader in rebounds (13.1) and among the frontrunners in scoring (17.0), steals (1.5) and blocks (1.0).
As impressive was the 5-8 Tenorio, who Alaska coach Tim Cone has likened to former MVP Johnny Abarrientos and did nothing to dissuade such comparison by playing a very vital role in their surge to an 8-1 record due to wins over defending champion Talk N Text and equally tough Purefoods.
“I don't think there is anybody at the point guard position who is playing better than LA at this point of the conference,” stressed Cone. “He's doing everything you want from a point guard – defending, assisting, setting the tempo and leading the team.”
The cerebral 25-year-old propped his coach's assessment with averages of 19 points, 5.0 rebounds, as many assists and 2.0 steals in those two wins, raising his norms to 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Also, Tenorio continues to be a very legitimate threat beyond the arc, where he is a 15-for-36 (41.7 percent) shooter and more so on the stripe, where he is the conference's best after sinking all but three of 31 tries for 90.3 percent.
“He's a very confident young man,” said Cone.
Which could also be said of Williams. (NC)