MANILA – Veteran center Asi Taulava is making his comeback for the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup which opens on Dec. 8 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The 48-year-old Taulava was included in the Road Warriors’ 15-man lineup with Negrense center Raul Soyud and Cebuano forward Kris Porter still recovering from injuries.
Soyud underwent arthroscopic operation to repair a damage on his knee but is already doing non-contact drills, while Porter is still undergoing therapy sessions after suffering an Achilles injury.
“We felt there’s a need to bring him back (to active lineup) as we’re still having a depleted front court,” Road Warriors head coach Joseller Guiao said in an interview with Arangkada NLEX website.
“If we do good this conference, I think it will serve as a fitting sendoff for Asi because he deserves such tribute,” added the seven-time PBA champion coach.
Many believed that the 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan center is already heading into retirement after not be inserted by the Road Warriors in the active lineup in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.
“For his age, (Asi’s) in tip-top shape. He has continuously worked out with the team,” said Guiao. “If he can hold his own for five, six minutes, he’ll make a good contribution to the team.”
“We’ll be needing (Taulava’s) inside presence against the big men in the tournament, including imports who play inside the shaded lane,” Guiao added.
One of the PBA’s best ever players, Taulava was included in the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players. He’s been an All-Star 17 times, the most number of appearances by a PBA player.
Taulava was also the only Filipino player to win both the MVP in the PBA and the Asean Basketball League. He was also a fixture in the national men’s basketball team./PN
