TNT Tropang 5G’s sleepless nights over its troubled star — Mikey Williams — are finally over.
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finally put an end to the two-year standoff by approving the deal that will send Mikey Williams to Converge in exchange for Jordan Heading.
The deal was first reported last week after TNT governor Ricky Vargas and Converge governor Archen Cayabyab signed the trade papers. However, it was only given the green light on Monday morning by the five-man trade committee composed of deputy commissioner Eric Castro, Roscelle Teotico, Junior Bengua, Joey Guanio and Atty. Melvin Mendoza.
The transaction is a huge sigh of relief for Tropang Giga.
A former Rookie of the Year and two-time Finals Most Valuable Player, the 33-year-old Williams refused to suit up for the Tropang 5G after helping them beat Barangay Ginebra to win the 2023 Governors’ Cup title.
It was a painful contract negotiation with Williams playing hard ball, prompting former TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa to stress that “he is acting as if he is on another level.” Eventually, the Tropang 5G pulled the plug on the long-dragging negotiation by formally terminating his contract.
Williams returned to the country to reinforce Strong Group Athletics in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship in the United Arab Emirates early this year.
Still no deal with TNT had been reached.
Meanwhile, the transaction allowed the Tropang 5G to hit two birds with one stone.
Aside from dumping their 25-month problem with Williams and his constant demand for a bigger bump in his salary, they also found a gem in Heading, who can fill the gaping hole in the perimeter created by the absence of veteran Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac due to injuries.
After all, winning the title in the ongoing Philippine Cup is very crucial to the Manny Pangilinan-backed squad as it will enable it to become only the fifth PBA team to win a rare grand slam after Crispa, San Miguel Beer, Alaska, and San Mig Coffee.
The Filipino-Australian Heading, however, admitted that there’s still no timetable on his return from a nagging back injury. But he is ready and determined to stay fit and ready so that he can help his new team — the Tropang 5G — realize its dream of winning a triple crown.
“Hopefully, I can get myself into shape and get myself healthy so that I can help them as soon as possible. Whether that’s this conference or next conference, we will see,” said the 6-foot-2 sniper, who has been dealing with back spasms since the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals against Rain or Shine.
Heading, who has yet to see a single game in the Philippine Cup after averaging 17.7 points, 4.5 rebound and 5.9 assists in the Commissioner’s Cup, stressed that he’s working hard on regaining his fitness and conditioning.
“I’ve been doing non-contact things and a lot of things on my own. I’m not just doing one rehab session a day. I’m doubling up,” Heading added.
TNT coach Chot Reyes said Heading’s fitness will be very crucial to their championship dream.
“If he’s 100 percent healthy, Jordan will be a very good addition to our team,” Reyes said in a short message to DAILY TRIBUNE.