CHICAGO - The distance that has divided TNT and Mikey Williams in the last 23 months has grown wider than the gulf of Mexico.
Lately, though, some headway has been made.
Per multiple sources, Mikey Williams spoke on the phone with coach Chot Reyes a few days ago. It's unclear if the chit-chat would translate into a deal, but the fact that they talked signifies a potential break in the icy relationship.
Although Mikey's camp understands the power Reyes wields within the MVP Group, they still want to pursue an audience with the big boss - Manny V. Pangilinan.
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"It's a long way to go," a source familiar with the situation, said of the Williams-Reyes hook-up. "The PBA is a brotherhood and Mikey needs to apologize," the source added.
MEA CULPA.
Indeed, reconciliations often begin with two simple words.
I'm sorry.
But will the prideful and reserved Williams do a mea culpa?
The phone call to coach Chot, which took a lot of gumption to do, answers that.
What's often left unsaid throughout this saga is the hurt Williams' part and the ton of unrealized income he has lost, $26,000 a month including bonuses, I have confirmed.
But the Fil-Am from LA is determined to shake off the pariah dust sprinkled all over him. He just wants to hoop and put all of the animosity behind him.
LET HIM GO.
If TNT still wouldn't budge, the two-time PBA champ and two-time Finals MVP's camp has one request.
"Release his rights or trade him."
It's possible as shown in the cases of Bobby Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena, who both irked the MVP Group top brass once upon a time but were eventually given the green light to migrate to the Japan B.League.
Mikey's case is a little more complicated given that the vibe of his relationship with TNT has regressed from annoyed to disliked before possibly having reached the level where hate sits.
Per PBA rules, an agent told SPIN.ph, Mikey can join TNT immediately "after he signs."
Money, they say, ends grudges. Well, maybe a grand slam quest does, too.
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