Mikey Williams out for Strong Group in Dubai International – Tiu

(UPDATE) STRONG Group Athletic coach Charles Tiu bared that TNT’s explosive guard Mikey Williams won’t be part of the Philippine club team that’s already preparing for the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship set to fire off on January 19.

Tiu said the 6-foot-2 Williams is still in talks with his mother squad in the PBA in a bid to “get clearance.”

Mikey Williams out for Strong Group in Dubai International – Tiu

“I don’t think Mikey will be part anymore. Unfortunately, I think he still has some talks with TNT. We’ve been waiting for his answer,” Tiu told media men on Wednesday.

“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] any trouble.”

The 32-year-old Filipino American guard has yet to play a single game for TNT in the ongoing PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup following a contract renegotiation issue.

It isn’t difficult to find Williams’ connections with Tiu considering that the two-time PBA champion manned the backcourt when Mighty Sports swept the 2020 Dubai edition and won the championship in the process.

For Tiu, he regretted failing to land on Williams, considering the 2020 No. 4 overall pick in the PBA Draft, was high on his list for Strong Group Athletics.

“After all, his PBA career is more important. So we just decided to move on. It’s a shame because he’s actually one of the first guys I reached out to. My number one choice to be the point guard of this team,” he said.

“But it is what it is, you know, we’ll find ways to win without him. But you know, he would have been a great addition for it. “

Still, Tiu has an armada of talent at his disposal when the team leaves for Dubai next week, led by former NBA stars Dwight Howard, Andray Blatche and former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson.

On the local end, UAAP stars Kevin Quiambao of newly minted Season 86 champion La Salle, as well as University of the Philippines playmaker JD Cagulangan are also there, along with MPBL superstar Justin Baltazar.

“They’re starting to know the strengths of our local players, too,” Tiu shared, referring to the four imports, who are now starting to work with the local players in the team.

“So it’s progressing the right way. We’re leaving on the 17th in the evening late, so we have maybe five more practices and one tune-up game probably before,” he added.