ASI Taulava’s retirement ceremony has almost all the fittings of the time he first played in the PBA.
The NLEX big man is eligible to play on Wednesday when the Road Warriors play TNT, the first-ever franchise of Taulava when he played as a direct hire in 1999.
In his PBA debut, Taulava scored 32 and hauled down 20 rebounds to lead Mobiline to a 90-64 crushing of Tanduay on February 7, 1999.
FITTING LAST GAME FOR TAULAVA
“I guess it’s very fitting,” said the 50-year-old Taulava on the eve of his jersey retirement that will also be held at the Philsports Arena.
“I end my career where my career started and that’s at Philsports wearing a Talk ‘N Text uniform. Now I’ll be playing against Talk ‘N Text but I’ll be playing for NLEX now. I’m also the ambassador for them. I do outreach programs. I look forward to everyone being at the game.”
Taulava is thankful to the all his bosses in all the teams he played for most especially to Manny V. Pangilinan, the reason why he is in the PBA.
“It feels like my rookie year. Excited. It’s been a long journey to get here,” said Taulava about the retirement ceremony.
TAULAVA GRATEFUL FOR MVP
“Very grateful to the bosses especially Boss MVP, the one who started me on this journey. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me for bringing me to Talk ‘N Text,” said Taulava.
Taulava is set to play in his 24th and final season in the PBA, surpassing Robert Jaworski as the longest tenured player in league history. During his career, he won an MVP in 2003 that eventually earned him a place into the PBA’s Greatest Players list.
Taulava also captured his lone PBA crown in 2003 when TNT beat Coca-Cola in the All-Filipino Cup. He also won the finals MVP of that series.
“From my rookie year, it just feels good. It’s just fitting to finish my career in an MVP team and that’s NLEX which has been my home for the past seven to eight years,” he added.
As he reflects on his long career, Taulava said he is happy with the relationships that he has built especially meeting the younger guys, some of which wasn’t even born when he first laced his shoes in the PBA.
“It feels good to meet all the young guys, especially Enoch (Valdez),” said Taulava, referring to the NLEX rookie out of Lyceum. “I was talking to him and then I found out his age and it was like ‘Kuya, I wasn’t born yet on your rookie year.’ So that makes me feel old.”
“But meeting guys like that, that’s what basketball does. You get to meet guys and you build a bond and a brotherhood that lasts a lifetime. It may seem small to say hi and greet but when you talk to the young guys and how long I’ve been playing, it means a lot. Later in life, they will probably end up in the same position or being a boss. It’s good to know that you have a relationship with them.”
Making a difference is what Taulava has been doing as of late as he serves as an ambassador for the company.
“Pretty busy with ambassador work at NLEX. Boss Ronald (Dulatre), Boss Rod (Franco), and Boss Luigi (Bautista), we have a lot of outreach programs about road safety, going green, and at the same time, having basketball camps where our NLEX highways go. We do a lot of outreach programs, giving back to the communities, and letting them know that NLEX cares,” said Taulava.
With all his achievements and what’s in store for him at NLEX, Taulava said he is more than pleased with how his career has panned out.
“The sun is set tomorrow during the game. I can’t ask for anything more. I appreciate the bosses for giving me the opportunity,” said Taulava.
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