By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Filipino-American gunner Mikey Williams is no longer joining the Strong Group-Philippines team for the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship slated from January 19 to 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
According to Strong Group-Philippines head coach Charles Tiu, they aborted the plan to have Williams in the squad as he is still seeking clearance with his PBA team, TNT Tropang Giga, even if he is not under contract.
“I don’t think Mikey will be part of the team anymore, unfortunately. I think he still has some talks with TNT,” Tiu said in an interview during the Strong Group-Philippines’ open practice at the Urdaneta Village in Makati City yesterday.
“We’ve been waiting for his answer. He said he’s still trying to get some clearance, so I think it’s best that we decide to play it safe, [and] make sure he doesn’t get in trouble. After all, his PBA is more important, so we’ve decided to move on,” he added.
Tiu added that Williams could have helped the Strong Group-Philippines on offense as they aim to bounce back from their quarterfinals exit in the same tournament last year.
“Williams was 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,” Tiu said.
“He would’ve been a great addition to our team,” he added.
With Williams out, Tiu will have to rely on his other gunners, like Francis Escandor, JD Cagulangan, Winston Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and former Gilas Pilipinas shooter Jordan Heading.
Meanwhile, Strong Group-Philippines managed to fortify their frontline with the addition of Justine Baltazar, who recently helped the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship.
The former De La Salle University Green Archers center will bolster the team’s local frontline, which also has reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and College of St. Benilde Blazers center Allen Liwag.
Strong Group-Philippines will have four American reinforcements in former NBA players Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson and Andray Blatche, and former PBA import McKenzie Moore./ASC, WDJ