MANILA, Philippines—TNT veteran Kelly Williams is about to embark on yet another PBA Finals series for the Tropang Giga but some things just stay the same.

Sure, seeing Williams in a Finals stage is constant enough, but so are his nerves when he’s about to play on the grandest stage.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Nerves are always there to me,” said the 2008 PBA MVP in an exclusive interview with Inquirer Sports at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

READ: PBA: ‘Calm’ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leads TNT to another Finals

“I respect the game and the guys we battle against. There’s definitely some nerves [still] but I look at it as just excitement. I’m excited to play.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Williams helped TNT advance to the Finals for the second straight conference after defeating Rain or Shine in Game 5 of the semis, 97-92, to finish the series at 4-1.

Having won nine PBA championships, Williams  knows  by now exactly what kind of mindset to go into any game–and he prefers nerves over nothing.

READ: Kelly Williams provides career milestone moment in PBA Finals

“I think anytime you have no nerves and go in with nothing, those are usually my worst games, when I don’t feel anything,” he said.

Things will be a bit different for Williams in the upcoming Finals, though, as he and the Tropang Giga will be without lead man Jayson Castro.

As a veteran, Williams will be hell-bent on helping the squad fill up the void left by Castro, who’s out for the season with a torn patellar tendon.

“No one guy can fill the shoes of Jayson so it’s going to take a collective effort and we know that’ll definitely be the case against Ginebra. That’s the focus,” said Williams.

TNT and Ginebra face off anew in a best-of-seven Finals series beginning on Friday for Game 1 at Mall of Asia Arena.