Still no trade deal with TNT: Williams suits up for Realtors vs Aces

MANILA, Philippines - Chances are Kelly Williams will still play for Sta. Lucia Realty against Alaska Milk today as SLR and Talk n Text still couldn’t strike a trade deal which is acceptable to both parties at presstime.

 “There are too many variables. The two parties couldn’t strike a deal,” said Smart-PLDT top official Ricky Vargas.

“(Talk n Text officials Patrick) Pato Gregorio and Virgil Villavicencio and Sta. Lucia governor/team manager Buddy Encarnado talked for hours last night (Monday) but no deal was reached. We’ll again meet this afternoon (yesterday) and hopefully a deal is finally made,” Vargas added.

Smart-PLDT is working to get Williams to Talk n Text which would loan him to Smart Gilas RP team set to compete in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar later this month.

“As far as I know Kelly will still be playing for us tomorrow (today),” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

Encarnado said Talk n Text has to give “us a good offer because they’re after a marquee player from our team.”

The double-round PBA Fiesta Conference elimination phase is nearing its halfway point, and Sta. Lucia is looking to end its first round stint on a winning note.

“Beating Alaska is tough. We have to be consistent on defense the whole game and, of course, we have to execute our offense,” said Fernandez.

“With the changes, we’ve been through, we’re still trying to discover ourselves. So every game is an adventure. We’re going into every game without expectations, just focusing on playing hard and looking up at the scoreboard at the end of the game,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Aces have gone with two wins and a loss since the Willie Miller-Cyrus Baguio trade. The team, with a 4-3 card, is fourth in the team standings behind San Miguel Beer (8-1), Talk n Text (6-2) and B-MEG Derby Ace (5-3).

Sta. Lucia and Alaska play at 7:30 p.m. after the 5 p.m. clash between Barangay Ginebra and Barako Energy Coffee.

“I hope to start getting things going right tomorrow,” said coach Jong Uichico whose Ginebra Kings are struggling with a 4-4 card.

Barako carries a 2-6 slate.