MIKEY Williams is finally back in the Philippines after an almost-two-year hiatus in the US.
Is a PBA comeback not far behind?
The former Rookie of the Year and two-time champion guard of TNT isn’t discounting the possibility, especially now that he has returned to the place he regards as ‘home.’
“I look at this place as home and I’m just happy to be back. I would love for that to be still in play,” the 33-year-old Los Angeles, California native shared to SPIN.ph at the sidelines of the East Asia Super League (EASL) game between San Miguel and Hong Kong Eastern Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
“But only time can tell.”
The No. 4 overall pick by the Tropang Giga in the Season 46 draft, Williams played for two seasons with the telecommunications franchise and was a huge part of the team’s successful championship drive during the 2021 Philippine Cup bubble in Bacolor, Pampanga, as well as the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
Both times, he was named Finals MVP by the PBA Press Corps.
Unfortunately, talks to renegotiate his original three-year deal dragged on and Williams opted not to return and play for TNT.
The Tropang Giga management later on decided to terminate the contract, but retained the rights to the hot-shooting Fil-Am.
Williams' focus is on Dubai
Williams arrived in the country last Tuesday to play for Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
READ: Tiu impressed with Mikey Williams in first practice with SGA
The one-time Mythical Team member is well aware his rights still belongs to TNT, but has yet to meet top officials of the organization.
“I don’t know yet. We’ll see what happens,” he said about his current situation with the Tropang Giga.
For now, Williams said his focus is on helping SGA's quest for redemption after falling short in the finals of last year's Dubai tourney.
“It feels good seeing friends and seeing all the people I used to share the court with,” said the 6-foot-2 guard who had brief conversations with Beermen Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, and Simon Encisco.
“You know, it’s a blessing. I just got back the other day and I just try to get acclimated and try to bring a little bit of me to the team,” he said. “We got a really great group of guys and we’ll gonna be pretty well-coached, so it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be great to compete with all these people and see what we’re made of in the Dubai tournament.”
Williams, who made a finals record 10 three-pointers in Game 3 of the 2021 All-Filipino finals, last played in the PBA in Game 6 of the 2023 Governors’ Cup title series where he torched Barangay Ginebra for 38 points.
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