By REYNALD MAGALLON
Ending it where it all began.
Asi Taulava’s career has come full circle as he closed the final chapter of his epic 24 years in the PBA at the PhilSports Arena where he experienced all the firsts of his career.
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, close friends, former bosses and coaches witnessed Taulava’s No.88 jersey retirement ceremony during the halftime break of NLEX and TNT – two teams that served as the first and final pit stops of his journey in basketball.
“It was a fitting story-book ending to my career. I played here in Philsports versus Tanduay, my very first PBA game. It’s very suiting just to play here and finish off. Can’t ask for anything more,” said Taulava who came into the PBA as a direct hire by the TNT franchise in 1999.
The ‘Ageless Rock’ is formally hanging his sneakers after a decorated career that saw him win one PBA championship then a Most Valuable Player plum and a Finals MVP all in 2003. He started and played for almost two minutes in the contest, also formally making him the player with most seasons played surpassing Ginebra legend Robert Jaworksi’s 23 years.
“Sad and happy but it’s been a good journey. Long 24 years nothing to complain about. Grateful to the PBA, grateful to NLEX, to my big bosses,” said Taulava who aside from NLEX and TNT, also played for Coca-Cola and Air21.
While he’s stepping away from the basketball content and satisfied to what he had been through all throughout his career, Taulava said he’ll surely miss the bond and the brotherhood he forged with his PBA family
“Every moment, every second in the PBA, I cherished it. There’s not one thing that is better than the other but every single one. One thing that I will probably miss in my PBA careers is the brotherhood,” said Taulava.
“Twenty-four years, you get to meet a lot of guys but the brotherhood is there. Every time you see them, have a great talk, invite each other for dinner, or some kid’s birthday party. Any get-together, that’s the best thing,” he added.
