THOUGHTS | THE CASE OF MIKEY WILLIAMS

TNT is just one Philippine Cup title away from a Grand Slam. With Chot Reyes at the helm and a stacked lineup featuring Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and JP Erram, they seem poised for a historic run. But let’s be real—Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was the driving force behind their two championships. Without him, plus the possible absences of Jayson Castro and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, TNT could be in trouble.

Looking ahead, the competition is fierce. San Miguel, despite struggling with their imports, remains a powerhouse because of June Mar Fajardo. Then there's Ginebra, their main rival, along with Magnolia, Meralco, and two hungry independent squads in Converge and Rain or Shine. The Philippine Cup is where we’ll see if TNT’s young core can truly go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite.

The last thing they need?

A Mikey Williams comeback.

What?

Now, I don’t know how deep the rift is between Williams and the MVP group, but if there’s one player who could play like an import for TNT, it’s him. And that’s exactly the problem.

This isn’t the first time TNT has dealt with a player overplaying their hand. Remember Kenny Evans and Alex Crisano? Both tried to leverage their value in the 2000s but ended up regretting it. Williams could be heading down the same path.

Williams never got used to PBA life because, in many ways, he has always been an import. He plays like one, and naturally, he wants to earn like one, too. This was reportedly why he ALLEGEDLY declined an opportunity to represent the Philippines in the Asian Games—he was there for the paycheck, with a gold medal as a bonus.

To be fair, there’s nothing wrong with that mindset. Whether a player is a Fil-Am or from the provinces, basketball is a career, and at 33, Williams knows the PBA and other Asian leagues are his last shot at a financial windfall. Most imports not named Bobby Parks, Norman Black, Sean Chambers, or Justin Brownlee retire or seek more stable income by their mid-30s. Jason Brickman is a prime example—after exhausting his options, he's finally entering the PBA for that exact reason.

Meanwhile, Bobby Ray Parks is still under TNT’s rights, but at 32, he’s thriving with Osaka Evessa in Japan. Unlike Williams, Parks has suited up for Gilas, so there’s always a chance of a Tropang 5G return.

But whatever Williams did to burn bridges with Reyes, Jojo Lastimosa, and the MVP brass might be beyond repair.

That leaves TNT with one option.

Trade him.

Could they package Williams for Christian Standhardinger? The rights to Roosevelt Adams? A toss-up between Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle? Standhardinger could be a game-changer, but his style might disrupt TNT’s system. Romeo is coming off an injury, and Pringle is nearing retirement, but anything is better than letting Williams sit idle. Trading him to Converge might be tough, especially with Charles Tiu recently stepping down.

At the end of the day, TNT needs depth, not drama. This is the perfect time to develop Kim Aurin, Henry Galinato, and Jielo Razon.

Kim Aurin, much like Glenn Khobuntin, is a diamond in the rough that Chot Reyes can use. Yes, he's currently a backup in the SG/SF spot, but he went from an unsigned third-rounder to a two-time champion who can be called upon because he can mix offense with defense. The reason why Aurin waived his college eligibility was because he knew he had a chance to excel in the PBA. Midway in the NCAA Season 99, he moved from Perpetual to the Ginebra 3X3 squad alongside Ralph Cu and Donald Gumaru. Remember that Khobuntin was left unsigned by Terrafirma after playing for the team for more than three seasons—a move that usually sends players straight to the MPBL. But Reyes saw something in him, gave him an opportunity, and now Khobuntin played a key part in TNT’s Game 7 win. Aurin could follow the same trajectory if given the right chances.

Also, I’ve always had this theory that TNT orchestrated Razon’s arrival—why else would they pass on him in the draft, only to let Phoenix pick CJ Payawal while leaving Jared Brown and Mark Niel Cruz unsigned?

There’s always a method to Reyes’ madness, and his championship track record proves it.

So what’s next for Mikey Williams? Maybe TNT uses him as a trade chip for a Mythical Team-caliber player or a first-round pick. Or maybe—just maybe—this is their way of forcing him into retirement. If TNT can’t use him, they might just make sure no one else can either.

This might sound ruthless, but professional basketball isn’t just won on the court—it’s a strategic game off the court, too. TNT may not want to play Mikey Williams, but they’re fully aware of what he brings to the table. In just two seasons, he’s averaged 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while leading the Tropa to two championships, earning two Finals MVPs, a Rookie of the Year award, and spots on both the Mythical First and Second Teams. Simply giving him away would be like handing another team a fast track to championship contention.

Imagine him in Converge, forming a deadly trio with Jordan Heading and Schonny Winston. Or in Blackwater, pairing up with Sedrick Barefield to create one of the league’s most explosive backcourts. Even Terrafirma—if they transition into Starhorse and land a solid import—could turn into a legitimate contender with Williams in the mix. Letting him go isn't just about losing a star—it’s about potentially creating a new powerhouse in the PBA.

Either way, the ball is in TNT's court.