Taulava had earlier said that he’s willing to play for Smart-Gilas if Coke management allowed him. “Of course, I’m willing to play for flag and country,” said Taulava in a text message.

The last-ditch bid of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to strengthen its lineup sufffered a fresh blow on Wednesday when Coca-Cola turned down SBP’s request to add the team’s ace player Asi Taulava to the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas team which is leaving this Thursday for the FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut.

Coca-Cola’s PBA representative JB Baylon informed the SBP late Tuesday that he could not allow the 6-foot-9 Taulava to join the Nationals.

Although no reason was given, a source at the Coca-Cola camp said the team management was worried that the 38-year-old Asi might get injured and jeopardize their coming PBA campaign.

“Kung di man siya ma-injure, baka ma-burn out siya kasi malapit na rin ang next conference sa PBA,” said the source.

The next PBA conference – an all-Filipino affair – will be held in October.

Taulava had earlier said that he’s willing to play for Smart-Gilas if Coke management allowed him.

“Of course, I’m willing to play for flag and country,” said Taulava in a text message.

Smart-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman was hoping that Coke would allow Taulava to fill the gap in its center position.

“It’s very tough situation for us right now, the tournament is very strong. This is not the time to try, we have to go to battle and fight, and try to win games. We’ll do everything to win,” said Toroman.

Without Asi, Toroman is reportedly now pinning his hopes on having 7-footer Greg Slaughter back in the line-up although the player had earlier begged off because he had to catch up with his studies at Ateneo.

“We’ll see if Greg can join us,” Toroman said yesterday.

The RP team will leave for Beirut today for the Aug. 7 to 17 FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup. If plans push through, Slaughter will take the long flight to Lebanon this Friday.

“Greg is actually behind with his studies after our stint in the Jones Cup (in Taiwan). I was told, he’s talking to his professors so that he can join the team in Lebanon,” Toroman said.

Also skipping the Stankovic Cup is 6-foot-7 Rabeh Al-Hussaini, as well as 6-foot-10 naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit and 6-foot-3 Fil-Am guard Chris Lutz, who both have yet to receive their Philippine passports.

Since it’s a FIBA-Asia event, only those with proper documents are allowed to join their respective national teams in the Stankovic Cup.