DON'T expect to see Arwind Santos or June Mar Fajardo when Smart Gilas 2.0 holds its first tryout on Friday night at the Meralco Gym.
According to sources close to Santos, the two Petron stars failed to get the green light from team management to join the national pool of Chot Reyes for two international tournaments early next year.
Santos, the current statistical leader in the PBA Philippine Cup, has made it clear that he wants to be part of the national team again after a memorable stint in international tournaments as an amateur.
But his request to join the Gilas practices on Friday has been reportedly rejected by management, with Santos being quoted by a friend as saying: "Kabuhayan natin ito (ang PBA). Hindi naman ako gagawa ng hakbang na hindi pinag-papaalam sa mga kinauukulan."
According to sources, Petron has cited the need to focus on the Boosters' campaign as the reason on why Santos and Fajardo - two players Reyes most covets for his team - have been disallowed from joining the Gilas pool.
The Boosters were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage in the Philippine Cup.
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