DESPITE Mikey Williams returning to the country to revive his once budding playing career, there has been no communication with the team that owns his PBA rights.
TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa disclosed the Fil-Am guard has yet to reach out to them since arriving last Tuesday to play for Strong Group Athletics in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
READ Mikey sits courtside for TNT game: 'I wish I could compete with them'
“Nope,” was Lastimosa’s curt reply when asked whether the 33-year-old Williams has already talked to him, coach Chot Reyes or anyone from TNT management about any possible plan or renegotiations with Williams.
Reyes echoed the words of Lastimosa.
"We haven't spoken in a while. There was a time we'll get in touch, we'll get in touch with his agents. Ang dami niyang agents na kinakausap ko. Hindi ko na alam kung sino talaga," said Reyes after TNT's 91-86 win over Barangay Ginebra on Friday night at the Philsports Arena.
"But since then, we've had radio silence for at least, I don't know kung one year na or six months already. He knows my numbers, he knows how to get in touch with me. Sabi ko nga I'm just one message or one call away.”
TNT terminated the contract of Williams after he failed to return to the country following the team’s championship run in the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
Williams was initially signed to a three-year deal, but reportedly with an option to renegotiate after a year. Apparently, both parties didn’t reach a new deal, prompting Williams to hold out and remain in Los Angeles.
Curiously, Williams was at ringside of the Philsports Arena on Friday night and watched the TNT-Barangay Ginebra tussle.
Reyes, who teasingly said he wasn’t aware of Mikey’s presence, said the Tropang Giga just went on with their business despite their former teammate watching them play for the first time in almost two years.
“We didn’t allow it to affect us,” said Reyes, whose team remained in solo top spot with a 6-2 slate.
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