'There's no greater honor': Kelly Williams savored every moment of Gilas return
MANILA, Philippines — For every national team player, getting to represent flag and country will always be special.
And for Kelly Williams, his recent stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the February window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers is up there among the highlights of his storied basketball career.
Because after 11 years since last playing for the Philippines, Williams was able to do it all again at 40 years old.
Days after wrapping up their campaign with a 1-1 slate, Williams reflected on what could possibly have been his Gilas swan song.
"The pinnacle of my career has always been able to banner the country's flag and have Philippines on my jersey," Williams told One Sports' The Game.
"It was probably the most emotional for me when we got up to sing the national anthem... About mid-way through, I started getting choked up, looking up at the flag," he added.
Williams raved about the pride that swelled within him to be able to represent his country again on the hardcourt, after first coming to the Philippines to play for the national team in 2005.
Now some 17 years after, the TNT cager said that his pride in playing for the national team has not dwinddled since.
"It's an honor that can't really be replicated in the PBA, the amount of pride... Just the weight that comes behind it as a player. Like I said, there's no greater honor," he said.
But as Williams' career wanes at his age, the Detroit, Michigan native knows to not take the moment for granted.
"Seeing the jersey for the first time, doing the photoshoot, everything, I just tried to stay present in every moment... Because I know that that was potentially my last time being able to do that," he said.
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