By REYNALD MAGALLON
It seemed like TNT and its flamboyant guard Mikey Williams will be starting the new season the same way it began last year.
The Tropang Giga and the one-time Finals MVP remained in impasse with only two weeks left before the curtain rises to the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup on Nov. 5.
PBA Chairman and TNT Governor Ricky Vargas admitted that Williams is still on vacation amid contract talks, a situation similar to what transpired last season where the 32-year-old guard missed the Tropang Giga’s first five games while in the middle of contract negotiation.
Williams was not even part on TNT roster which the PBA released during the Season 48 press conference at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
“Ayaw niya pang umuwi. So what can we do? That’s why he’s not in the lineup. He’s not back yet. Yun lang ang masasabi ko,” said Vargas.
According to reports, the camp of Williams opted to renegotiate his contracts following TNT’s Governors’ Cup title run where he played a pivotal role none bigger than his 38-point explosion in the title-clinching Game 6.
Williams already missed TNT’s EASL opener where the Tropang Giga suffered a 93-75 beatdown from Japan B.League’s Chiba Jets.
The addition of Williams could have been a huge boost for the team who are dealing with manpower woes with Poy Erram and Justin Chua still nursing with injuries, RR Pogoy sidelined by heart condition and Calvin Oftana still resting after Gilas Pilipinas’ Asian Games gold medal conquest.
“The team is still practicing, it’s still not fit. Yun ang difficulty. That’s the thing.”
