SLR upbeat on Williams comeback

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia Realty has high hopes for the coming PBA season with the return of main man Kelly Williams and the addition of new faces in the team led by Gabby Espinas.

Coach Boyet Fernandez expects Williams to be back in his old deadly form even before the opening of the new season in October.

“He’s a joy to watch him back on the playing court. He’s not yet 100 percent but he’s working double time to get there. I’m sure he’ll be ready come the season opening,” said Fernandez of Williams, who has recovered from a blood disorder problem.

According to the Sta. Lucia coach, another source of moroale-boost for the team is the minor rebuilding it has undertaken.

Espinas, a former NCAA MVP awardee acquired from Barako Bull, has boosted the team’s wing rotation while free agents Chris Pacana and Josh Urbiztondo have beefed up the backcourt.

“Actually, we’ve kept the core of our old lineup but we still lack the players to rotate in the middle,” said Fernandez.

Among the players being considered to fill up the posts are rookie free agents Francis Barcellano, Jervy del Rosario, Mark Benitez and Charles Waters.

“I’m interested in all of them. All four are workhorses. But the team has to consider the salary cap,” said Fernandez.

Barcellano, Del Rosario, Benitez and Waters have been attending the team practice, joining Williams, Espinas, Pacana, Urbiztondo, Paolo Mendoza, Marlou Aquino, Joseph Yeo, Bitoy Omolon and Denok Miranda.

Team captain Dennis Espino is nursing a knee injury while Ryan Reyes is in the United States, set to get married tomorrow.

Gone in the team are Christian Coronel, Norman Gonzales, Melvin Mamaclay and Philip Buttel.

Though losing Williams and Reyes in the closing phase of the Fiesta Conference, the Realtors finished with the fourth best cumulative win-loss record of 24-21 last season.

The Realtors bagged the Philippine Cup second runner-up trophy and placed fifth in the reinforced tourney.