Asi Taulava delivers stellar performance in maybe his last game in the PBA

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

As soon as coach Yeng Guiao turned his head to the bench and called for Asi Taulava’s number, everybody in the NLEX Road Warriors’ bench were ecstatic and excited.

Upon setting his foot onto the hardwood, Taulava was embraced by his foes and received a warm welcome from everybody in the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center in their 127-101 demolition over Terrafirma Dyip.

The PBA legend did not waste his time after he received an entry pass from the post. He backed his defender down, did his signature shimmy fake, and scored his first deuce of the game.

Everybody in the NLEX bench was happy including head coach Yeng Guiao after seeing the veteran big man knock down treys in the next possessions.

Taulava’s superb performance against Terrafirma netted him player of the game honors after tallying 11 points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 14 minutes of action.

Despite getting eliminated from playoff contention, the boys of coach Guiao came out waxing hot and were eager to deliver a huge win for their “Kuya Asi” in what might be his last game in the PBA.

With his presence for the Road Warriors in this latest PBA season, Taulava inked himself in the PBA history books as the first player to play in four different decades in the league.