Strong Group Athletics will not be Mikey Williams' re-entry back to Philippine basketball
Amid rumors swirling that Mikey Williams could be back in the Philippines for the Strong Group Athletics, head coach Charles Tiu confirmed that the high-scoring guard will not be part of the team in the upcoming Dubai Invitational Championship.
Williams still has some ongoing discussions with the TNT Tropang Giga, per Tiu following his Strong Group's media availability Wednesday.
“I don’t think Mikey will be part anymore. Unfortunately, I think he still has some talks with TNT,” said Tiu.
“We’ve been waiting for his answer. He said he’s still trying to get some clearance, so I think it’s best that we decide to play it safe to make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble," the Strong Group coach added.
Williams has been absent from competitive basketball for nearly a year, particularly in the PBA.
His last action was in April last year, when he won his second PBA Finals MVP as the TNT Tropang Giga dethroned Brgy. Ginebra in the PBA Governors' Cup.
Despite this setback, Tiu remains optimistic, noting that the team will find ways to succeed even without Mikey Williams on board.
“It’s a shame because he’s actually one of the first guys I reached out to and my number one choice to be the point guard of this team. It is what it is, we’ll find ways to win without him,” said Tiu.
For now, the training continues for Strong Group as they eye a first-place finish in the Dubai tournament which is slated to run from Jan. 19 to 28.