Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Solomon Mercado start their official leave from their respective PBA teams today, allowing them to focus their full attention in helping the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas rev up for the Asian Games set to begin Friday in Guangzhou, China. Taulava, Williams and Mercado have been practicing with both the national team and their three mother PBA teams – Rain or Shine, Talk N’ Text and Meralco – the past two months, and with their official leave from the pro-league, expect them to throw their full might in practice for the all-amateur squad.
“They are very good experienced players,” said Smart-Gilas Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, who expressed his gratitude for the PBA teams that agreed to loan the players.
“With Asi, Sol and Kelly, we’ll have more players in the rotation.”
Aside from the three PBA players, Talk ‘N Text mentor Vincent “Chot” Reyes will also join the team as consultant. —Waylon Galvez
