By NIKOLE JAVIER
Strong Group Athletics manager Jacob Lao couldn’t help but slam former TNT hotshot Mikey Williams for failing to ‘honor his word’ and come through after their initial agreement.
Lao expressed his frustration over the matter as the Philippine representative to the 33rd Dubai International Championship went into panic mood to find his replacement.
Good thing, the group was able to convince former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading to join the team.
“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 Lao.
“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,” he added.
Strong Group tactician Charles Tiu was the first to reveal that Williams, who is still in talks with TNT for a possible PBA return after his contract negotiations fell through last year, will no longer be part of the team as it has decided to seek the next best option for its lineup rues.
“I don’t think he will be part anymore. Unfortunately, I think he still has some talks with TNT. We’ve been waiting for his answer. He said he’s trying to get clearance so I think it’s best that we decide to play it safe and make sure he doesn’t get any trouble after all his PBA career is more important. So we just decided to move on. It’s a shame because he’s actually one of the first guys I reached out to, 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 to our team,” Tiu said.
Lao, who has tapped former NBA star Dwight Howard and naturalized center Andray Blatche this year, added that they haven’t been able to reach the 32-year-old guard since their last supposed agreement.
“Now, he is not even answering our calls. We have no choice but to look for other options. This is the first time we have had a player who doesn’t honor his word,” Lao said.
“Now, I understand the management of the team he played for before.”
The team is set to leave for Dubai on Wednesday night, Jan. 17, two days before the tournament kicks off.
