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Source: Manila Bulletin

-- Four players, led by former Most Valuable Player James Yap of B-Meg, have yet to commit themselves to the Smart-Gilas II national team, a week after the deadline has elapsed, according to team manager Butch Antonio.

“If anything, it only shows that the four are disinterested,” said Antonio during a phone interview Wednesday.

Aside from Yap, the other players are Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot of Petron and Mark Pingris of B-Meg.

Antonio said he had a chance meeting with Yap who told him to talk to B-Meg governor Rene de Pardo.

When consulted, Pardo told Antonio to course the letters through the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

On March 27, the PBA board of governors has agreed to lend up to 20 players for the Gilas II national pool.

“We would like to stress that players are not forced to play for Gilas. It is purely voluntary, if they don’t want to play, we cannot do anything,” Antonio said.

Twelve of the 16 players named by national coach Chot Reyes have already signed the commitment letters.

They are Enrico Villanueva of Barangay Ginebra, Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier and Ryan Reyes of Talk ‘N Text, Gary David and Marcio Lassiter of Powerade, LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss of Alaska and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine.

Part of the players’ commitment is to devote full time and effort to Smart Gilas in the off-season until the FIBA-Asia Championships in September, 2013 and even possibly the FIBA World Championships in September, 2014.

Villanueva was first to sign the commitment letter on March 29 followed by Norwood the next day. Tenorio signed on March 31.

The national team was set to meet for the first time last Monday, but was reset because of the ongoing PBA semifinal playoffs.

If the four players beg off, Antonio said they may have to look for other players to fill their spots.

“I understand the PBA has given us up to 20 players. It’s up to coach Chot if he wants to increase the pool of players,” Antonio said.