Kelly's reemergence

Roger Pogoy was named Best Player of the Game after TNT repulsed San Miguel Beer, 99-96, in the opener of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.

- By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

He deserved the honor after returning from a four-game absence in the semis to score 23 points in 18:09 minutes of restricted time.

Note that in the elims, Pogoy averaged 33:08 minutes so clearly, coach Chot Reyes didn't push him to the limit.

Pogoy is still recovering from a severe left hamstring strain.

TNT's unsung hero was Kelly Williams who at 43, is the PBA's second oldest player after Rafi Reavis, 47.

Kelly missed the last two games of the semis with a bad ankle sprain and two days before Sunday's clash, couldn't even put weight on his foot.

Yet he showed up for Game 1, ready to battle like a scarred gladiator whose primary role was to defend June Mar Fajardo.

Imagine a 43-year-old battered veteran playing footies with the league's only 8-time MVP.

Williams didn't back down from the challenge.

His footwork was surprisingly remarkable.