How Taulava is trying to make himself 'feel young' for Gilas

After Asi Taulava was named to the final 12-man lineup of Gilas Pilipinas, the veteran Fil-Tongan center sported newly-dyed blonde hair at national team practice on Wednesday night at Meralco Gym in Pasig City.

 

The look was reminiscent of his rookie year in the PBA back in 1999, when he took the league by storm with his bulky 6-foot-9, 240-pound frame that made him a dominant force at the low post.

 

Now at 42 years old and still serving the national team, Taulava brought back his old hairdo in the hopes of rejuvenating himself with the energy of his youth.

 

"I'm trying to make myself feel young. I'm trying to make myself feel like Terrence Romeo right now," said the Gilas big man, casting a glance at the 22-year-old guard.

PROFILES: THE GILAS PILIPINAS LINEUP TO THE FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

Playing for the country likely for the last time in his career, Taulava is determined to go out with a bang and help the country win the gold in the FIBA Asia Championships in two weeks.

 

To do that, the NLEX center is aware that he has to play like it was 2003 all over again, when he was at the height of his powers and took home the PBA Most Valuable Player award.

 

"When I step on the floor, sometimes I gotta act like I'm Calvin Abueva," he said, referring to the national team's 27-year-old energy guy. "At 42, that's kinda hard, 'cause the next day I feel it."

 

Taulava, however, embraces his responsibilities to the team and willingly sacrifices himself in return for the chance to represent the country in a final tour of duty.

 

"Never in my wildest dreams that I ever thought that I was gonna make it," he said about getting named to the final roster. "It's unbelievable. When they announced that I was part of the 12, it just blew me away." —JST, GMA News