TNT’s Mikey Williams during the PBA Finals press conference. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics team manager Jacob Lao said that Mikey Williams will not be joining the Philippine-based team after the former TNT guard failed to “honor his word.”
Hours after Strong Group coach Charles Tiu told the reporters that Williams won’t be part of the team during their practice on Wednesday, Lao rued that the former TNT guard didn’t show up after initially agreeing to play for the team in the Dubai International Basketball Tournament.
“We really don’t know what happened (why he suddenly backed out). Everything was in place, and we agreed to almost everything he wanted,” said the Strong Group team manager. “At first, he agreed to the price. Then he asked for a specific time frame for his arrival. However, he just didn’t show up at our practice when everybody was expecting him to, including former NBA stars and starters.”
The former Ateneo-player-turned-basketball executive added that they decided to look for other options after Williams stopped responding to their calls.
“Now, he is not even answering our calls. We have no choice but to look for other options,” Lao said. “This is the first time we have had a player who doesn’t honor his word. Now, I understand the management of the team he played for before.”
TNT announced in November last year that it already terminated Williams’ contract.
Inquirer Sports tried but could not get a comment from Mikey Williams’ camp.
Tiu earlier bared to the reporters that the PBA Finals MVP “still has some talks to do with TNT” and Strong Group just decided to move on.
“It’s a shame because he’s actually one of the first guys we reached out to. He was my number one choice to be the point guard of this team but it is what it is. We’ll find ways to win without him but he would’ve been a great addition,” Tiu said.
Even without Mikey Williams, Strong Group is still an intact team with former NBA players Dwight Howard, Andray Blatche, and Andre Roberson as well as former TNT import McKenzie Moore, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and his La Salle teammate Francis Escandor.
UP guard JD Cagulangan as well as College of Saint Benilde players Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez are also part of the team, under deputy coach Topex Robinson and team consultant Brian Goorjian.
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Strong Group’s Dubai campaign is set from January 19 to 28, 2024, at Al Nasr Club.