TNT Tropang Giga interim coach Jojo Lastimosa continues to distance himself from Mikey Williams who have yet to return with barely two weeks left before the opening of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup on 5 November.

Lastimosa yesterday said Williams' case had already been elevated to their top management with governor Ricky Vargas and their battery of lawyers leading the negotiation.

"I'm not dealing with him anymore," Lastimosa said.

"It's now Mr. Vargas and the lawyers."

Lastimosa said he had to raise the issue to the top management as Williams still refuses to inform the team his exact date of arrival from the United States despite having a live contract with them until 2025.

With the uncertainty surrounding Williams, the Tropang Giga had no choice but to drop him in the final roster that was released during the press launch of Season 48 last Tuesday. Vargas, who is also the chairman of the PBA, said Williams doesn't want to come home yet as he is still on vacation, a statement that drew laughter from sportswriters.

But without Williams, TNT will have a dearth in personnel with Roger Pogoy also set to sit out in the next six months due to heart problems while Poy Erram and Justin Chua are still nursing knee injuries.

Still, the Tropang Giga are determined to win the title as they enlisted the versatile Rondae Hollis-Jefferson while tapping former imports Sean Chambers and Derrick Hamilton to serve as special trainers in their training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

It's not the first time for Williams to throw a tantrum over his playing contract.

Last year, he was also in the same situation as he refused to come home until Lastimosa came to the rescue and had him sign on the dotted lines.

But this time, Lastimosa opted to focus on preparing the team while head coach Chot Reyes remains on vacation.