Taulava might join Gilas five in Dubai International tilt

The Meralco Bolts’ campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup ended more than a week ago, but Asi Taulava is determined to stay in tip-top shape. The 6-foot-9 former league MVP has been working out with the Smart Gilas national developmental team for the past few days. With the way things are looking, it seems the many-time national team player might join the Pinoy cagers in the coming Dubai International Basketball Tournament slated on Jan. 20 to 29, 2011. Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman and his assistant Alan Gregorio confirmed that Taulava continues to show up at Gilas’ practice sessions, but didn’t say whether the 37-year-old slotman will be tapped for the Middle East campaign. Smart Gilas finished third in the Dubai International early this year. “Nothing is sure yet," said Toroman in a text message to GMANews.TV when asked about Taulava’s possible inclusion in the squad for the Dubai tournament. “We will see." Gregorio, who earlier said that Smart Gilas will open its doors for more PBA players in next year’s training camp, added that only Taulava has so far attended the workouts of the team that finished a dismal sixth in the Guangzhou Asian Games. “So far, only Asi has attended the practices at this time," said Gregorio. But Allan’s younger brother, Ryan, who coaches Taulava’s mother team in the PBA, Meralco, is more than willing to lend the veteran cager to the Gilas squad as long as it has no conflict with the Bolts’ campaign in the PBA. “We have not received a request from the Gilas team, although I heard that Asi is working out with them. I am sure everything is workable," said the three-time PBA champion coach. “If the schedule is in no conflict with our own calendar, I see no problem. Para sa bayan, lahat puwedeng gawaan ng paraan." Meralco will start competing in March 2011 at the start of the import-laced PBA Second Conference. Taulava has played for the Smart Gilas squad in several international events this year, including the Stankovic Cup, where the national developmental team secured a seat in the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship next year. The FIBA Asia Championship is the qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics. Sould Taulava join Smart Gilas, he will be paired up front with former Los Angeles Lakers darftee Marcus Douthit, whose Philippine citizenship was already approved by the Senate. - KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV