Asi Taulava shuts retirement rumors after getting activated by NLEX

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The oldest active player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set for one more ride in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup.

Asi Taulava, who was rumored to retire from the PBA entering the 2023 season, was activated by the NLEX Road Warriors once again to fortify their frontcourt against the towering imports of the conference.

The 49-year-old giant will be playing a major role for the Road Warriors franchise as main big man JR Quiñahan is still dealing with a foot injury.

Aside from Quiñahan’s absence, the departure of Raol Soyud also left a deep void in their frontcourt this coming Commissioner’s Cup.

NLEX top official Ronald Dulatre confirmed the development and also announced that if Quiñahan will be ruled out of the conference, Taulava has to take his place and team up with former no. 1 pick Brandon Ganuelas Rosser.

Rosser was a part of the three-team trade that sent Calvin Oftana and Soyud to the TNT Tropang Giga while the Blackwater Bossing received Troy Rosario and Gab Banal.

Taulava will be playing his 23^rd season in the PBA and is set to equalize the record of the legendary Robert Jaworski as the player with the most played years in the league.

The six-foot-ten center was a former PBA champion way back in 2003 while also winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the same season.

Taulava will go down as one of the most dominant centers to ever set foot in the PBA after clinching 17 PBA All-Star appearances, four Mythical first-team selections, and was a three-time PBA Defensive Player of the Year.

During Yeng Guiao’s stint with the Road Warriors as their former head coach, the savvy tactician tasked Taulava to be the team’s leader and was a vital piece to their playoff runs.