Coke, PBA approve Asi's stint with Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Pro league’s seasoned center Asi Taulava is joining Smart Gilas Pilipinas in their Stankovic Cup stint in Beirut, Lebanon after getting the go-signal from Coca-Cola and the PBA.

The 6-foot-9 former national player is flying to Beirut tonight to reinforce the depleted Gilas team in the weeklong event serving as tune-up tourney for the Asian Games in November.

Coca-Cola top official JB Baylon gave his nod Wednesday while the PBA board issued its approval yesterday, allowing Taulava to again don the national colors after his earlier stints with the RP team in the 2002 Busan Asian Games and the 2007 and 2009 Fiba Asia championships.

“Smart Gilas asked for a reconsideration of our initial and unofficial position. And because this is for flag and country, we agreed to reconsider,” said Baylon. “I think it is an honor for Asi and for his team as well.”

The PBA board unanimously approved SBP’s appeal but one board member said “the request raises question on the initial claim of an SBP official that they didn’t and won’t ever need PBA help.”

Taulava has been tapped to join Smart Gilas with naturalization prospect Marcus Douthit and mainstays Greg Slaughter, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Chris Lutz not included in the delegation that left Manila last night.

Taulava, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes are also being eyed to beef up Smart Gilas for the Guangzhou Asiad late this year.