Strong Group Athletics formally dropped its plan of including Filipino-American hotshot Mikey Williams in the team that will see action in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
No less than Strong Group team manager Jacob Lao came up with a statement, saying that they will be moving on without Williams, who was a no-show in their first few practice sessions for the prestigious international event set from 19 to 26 January.
Williams, who is also at loggerheads with his Philippine Basketball Association club, TNT Tropang Giga, reportedly initially agreed to play for Strong Group.
But after a month of discussion, the 32-year-old playmaker reneged on his promise and stayed in Los Angeles.
“We really don’t know what happened (why he suddenly backed out). Everything was in place, and we agreed to almost everything he wanted,” Lao said.
“At first, he agreed to the price. Then, he asked for a specific timeframe for his arrival.”
“However, he just didn’t show up at our practice when everybody was expecting him, including former NBA (National Basketball Association) stars and starters.”
In a previous report by Daily Tribune, Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu admitted that Williams is “my top choice” in assembling a powerhouse squad that aims to bounce back from their quarterfinal setback last year.
With Williams out, Tiu reached an agreement with Jordan Heading, who is expected to provide the scoring punches in the team that will be beefed up by former NBA champion Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson, Andray Blatche and McKenzie Moore.
“It’s a shame because he’s actually one of the first guys I reached out to. He’s my top choice to be the point guard of this team,” said Tiu, who spearheaded the negotiation with Williams.
“Now, he’s not even answering our calls. We have no choice but to look for other options.”
Aside from Heading, also helping in the scoring SGA department are JD Cagulangan, Kevin Quiambao, Francis Escandor, Justine Sanchez, Allen Liwag, Justine Baltazar and Tony Ynot.
Howard, an eight-time NBA All-Star, said the challenge is how to play cohesively as one solid unit.
“We have been playing together for a while and they have been in this tournament for a couple of years. Hopefully, everybody can set our egos aside and stay focused and get a win,” Howard said.
“We just want to play basketball, put a show for the fans and win. Our focus is going to Dubai and playing against whatever team is out there, representing the Philippines and winning.”
Strong Group entered the tournament with a lot of determination after getting eliminated by Lebanon’s Al Riyadi Club Beirut, 97-107, in the quarterfinal last year.
The crew of Ange Kouame, as well as PBA imports Shabazz Muhammad and Renaldo Balkman and local stars Quiambao, Baltazar, Jerom Lastimosa, Will Gozum and Migs Oczon fell short against the eventual champion of the tournament led by Lebanese national team scoring guard Wael Arakji.
This time, Tiu is bringing in a more solid core with the help of a powerhouse coaching staff that includes Australia national team head coach Brian Goorjian, De La Salle University tactician Topex Robinson and former Saint Benilde coach TY Tang.
Tiu, who called the shots last year, is thankful to have a deep think tank helping him out in the team.
“He (Goorjian) really wanted to come out to help and he said he wanted to support me and help me grow as a coach and I’m really thankful. Coach Topex has also been very big. He has been doing the little things that we need. He’s always in my ear and giving suggestions,” Tiu said.
