Coke gives green light to Taulava; Gilas awaits PBA approval

(Updated Aug. 5, 2:39 p.m.) In a good gesture made barely 24 hours before Smart Gilas takes off to play in the Stankovic Cup, Coca-Cola management has agreed to loan Asi Taulava to the national developmental squad vying in the tough tournament in Lebanon from Aug. 7-15. Smart-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman confirmed the news to GMANews.TV and expressed his gratitude to the Coca-Cola management for lending the 6-foot-9 slotman to the national team hopefuls. “Coca-Cola management has agreed to lend Taulava to us. We would like to thank them for that," said Toroman in a telephone interview. With half of the job done, Toroman and his short-handed squad are hoping for one final approval – the approval coming from the Philippine Basketball Association. Toroman said that a letter is expected to be forwarded to the PBA Office Thursday. If the league approves Taulava’s inclusion to the Smart-Gilas’ roster to the Stankovic event that serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2011 FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship, this will be the fourth time the Fil-Tongan center will represent the country in the international meet. “If the PBA approves Asi, he will leave on Friday and join the squad there," added Toroman. “But right now, nothing is definite yet if he can join." Coca-Cola vice president for communications and PBA board governor JB Baylon, sent a text message Thursday morning confirming Toroman's claim. "Yes, we will let Asi play if PBA agrees. This is for flag and country, so it's OK with us," said Baylon. "Let's wait for the PBA to come out with an official policy position." The national team aspirants, who are also supported by GMA PinoyTV, will leave Thursday afternoon. Taulava has attended the practice sessions of Smart-Gilas “to keep himself in shape for the 36th season of the PBA." An opportunity was presented to the three-time member of the all-pro national team when several key players of the national quintet was reportedly not joining the Lebanon joust, among them include Rabeh Al-Hussaini, import Marcus Douthit and Greg Slaughter. Worse, Japeth Aguilar might not be able to play as well after reportedly suffering a freak accident. There were reports that Slaughter might join the squad for some games, although the 6-foot-9 center is focused on his studies in Ateneo. The national team aspirants are grouped in the tough field that include Jordan, host Lebanon, Syria and Qatar. The top five teams in the Stankovic Cup will secure spots for the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship, which serves as a qualifier to the 2012 London Olympics. - GMANews.TV