MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors veteran center Asi Taulava will transition to full-time coaching after ending his professional career.
The 47-year-old Filipino-Tongan already serves as one of the assistant coaches of the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons basketball team mentored by Paul Ramos.
“I’ve already stuck my foot in the door,” said Taulava. “I love the game, and at the same time I’ll be teaching. I want to teach all this stuff I have in my head. “
The Philippine Basketball Association veteran admitted he is still in the baby steps of the job but is learning great from the UP staff.
“I have a good coach ahead of me. I want to thank coach Paul for giving me that opportunity,” said Taulava, who is also getting pointers from NLEX head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao and National University Lady Bulldogs mentor Patrick Aquino.
“I always ask for advice. I want to understand the women’s game of basketball a little bit more. It happened to him (Aquino). He just learned from experience,” he added.
Taulava spends most of the long basketball break due to coronavirus disease 2019 teaching his daughters, especially Ash who is part of the Lady Maroons basketball squad.
“My daughters have skills work with me from 6:00 to 7:30 in the evening,” Taulava said. “It’s challenging to be a dad and a coach at the same time.”/PN
