From my Manila Standard column 09/24/10
There’s a new chapter in Asi Taulava’s career, and it looks to be an electrifying one. He now joins the Meralco Bolts squad via a 6-man, 3-team swap. And this only means one thing, no more glitches when he needs to power up the Smart Gilas squad. At least not for Coach Bo Perasol and the Powerade Tigers.
It’s been a concern whether it was fair for any PBA squad to “loan” their player to the national team when the whole point of forming Gilas was so they don’t have to rely on the pro players and disturb the league’s schedule. The PBA now has returned to a 3 conference format, which was trimmed to 2 conferences back in 2004 under the leadership of Commissioner Noli Eala.
When Asi expressed his interest to join the Smart Gilas practices and to even join them in the Stankovic Cup, it was a disturbing issue for the Coca Cola Management to tackle. They had every reason to be worried about their prime player getting injured, thus putting their bid in the coming season at risk. And if he were to get injured, there was the question of which team would cover the finances. It was just a highly delicate matter.
The Philippine Olympic Committee gave the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas a deadline last Wednesday to submit their 12-man roster for the Guangzhou Asian Games this November. It included Taulava and Talk and Text player Kelly Williams. It’s not as difficult for management to lend out Williams with Manny V. Pangilinan owning the team, and now being in Meralco, it will be just as easy for Taulava.
“We would’ve missed his services anyway so we opted to just get someone else. They’ll be joining more tournaments so it’s better for us this way. Instead of hurting the team without Asi, we just found a different solution”, shared the Tigers’ mentor.
Powerade released Taulava to get Rob Reyes and their 2013 draft pick. Also going to the Barako Coffee Masters is Ken Bono who was released by the team. Barako then traded Taulava to Meralco for Jason Misolas and Khazim Mirza. (update: Coach Junel Baculi revealed to me today that Mirza never arrived in Barako. Misolas and Bono have practiced but they never got Mirza)
Yesterday, Rob Reyes, nephew of former PBA player turned sportscaster Eric Reyes, already attended the Tigers’ practice at the Moro gym in Ateneo. “I feel really blessed to be here, this is very exciting”, he shared.
Coach Bo also noted that immediately, they saw how instrumental Reyes would be to the team’s defense. He was strongly recommended by Assistant Coach Alex Compton who has always admired him for his work ethic. “Robbie’s the type to play hard, give his all, and he knows his role in the team”, added Coach Alex.
After Williams and Taulava, Smart Gilas might also be getting Rain or Shine Elastopainter Solomon Mercado. They originally wanted to get James Yap but with his recent nose operation and personal matters he needs to attend to, he opted to turn down the offer to represent flag and country.
Sol Mercado has always been on Coach Rajko Toroman’s short list specially after this great performance in the last season. This is still pending whether he can still be included in the roster, after they already gave in their pool of 18 players whom they can get their roster and replacements from.
But what are your thoughts about the PBA lending its pro players to the Smart Gilas squad which was formed so that they need not rely on the PBA? Tweet me on www.twitter.com/patriciahizon
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