TNT terminates Mikey Williams’ contract, reminds guard ‘we still hold his rights’

FILE–TNT guard Mikey Williams. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–TNT said on Saturday night it has sent guard Mikey Williams a notice to terminate his contract with the club.

“We are keeping it there. And then, we will see what happens,” said head coach Chot Reyes, who has temporarily taken a backseat to team manager Jojo Lastimosa in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Williams has yet to report to TNT since helping the club to the Governors’ Cup last season.

This is the second time the two-time Finals Most Valuable Player and reigning Scoring Champion has sat out games. The last time he did was in the previous Philippine Cup, where he missed five games.

Reyes said he doesn’t think Williams plans on returning to TNT but reached for a reminder that the league usually applies to deserters.

“We still hold his rights,” he said.

PBA chair Ricky Vargas, meanwhile, was visibly upset when asked about the Filipino-American guard.

“He’s not here. He’s on disciplinary action,” he said in a chance encounter also Saturday night. “He’s breaking his contract by not coming (here) and we’re not going to allow that!”

The last time TNT figured in a contract dispute was with Ray Parks, Jr. who eventually opted to ply his trade in the B.League Japan.

TNT also has the rights to Parks Jr.