Sta. Lucia's Ryan Reyes (2nd from left) loses the ball after being pushed by Rain or Shine's JR Reyes during their PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games on Friday (Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City)
5 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. — Burger Kng vs. Sta. Lucia

Kelly Williams is back to his old, fiery form.

The 6-foot-7 Williams dished out numbers befitting his status as a former Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner to help power Sta. Lucia to a 95-91 win over Rain or Shine in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Williams, who won the coveted plum in 2008, fired 25 points, 15 came in the fourth period, while tying a career-best 19 rebounds as the Realtors boosted their bid for an outright quarterfinals berth.

The third year pro also had three assists, two steals, and the same number of shot blocks which were enough to prove that he's back to his sharp and deadly self.

He was sidelined for at least 15 games in the previous Fiesta Cup because of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a kind of blood sickness of having low platelet count.

But last night, he showed no signs of having contacted that illness as he scored six straight points that enabled them to wipe out an 87-89 deficit to take a 93-89 lead with 25 seconds left to play.

"Kelly did a good job," Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez said. "He really stepped up. He made crucial shots. He's the leader of this team. We're just happy that he's back. We really missed his presence last conference, I'm just happy for the guy."

"We have five remaining games; if we want to make it (to the quarters), we have to win five. We got one so we'll take it one game at a time," added Fernandez, as the Realtors take on Burger King on Friday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Joseph Yeo came off the bench to add 12 points, while Jason Misolas contributed 10 markers with nine boards. Nelbert Omolon had 10 rebounds and nine points.

Meanwhile, the Smart-Gilas national team ended its campaign as a guest team in the PBA on a sour note, absorbing a crushing 99-81 defeat at the hands of an inspired Purefoods squad.

The scores:
STA. LUCIA 95 — Williams 25, Yeo 12, Misolas 10, Urbiztondo 9, Omolon 9, Reyes 8, Aquino 8, Espinas 5, Mendoza 5, Pacana 4, Daa 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 91 — Norwood 18, Chan 17, Mercado 14, Laure 13, Cruz 10, Tang 7, Araña 4, Reyes 3, Hrabak 3, Ibañes 2, Telan 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 47-51, 71-69, 95-91.