NLEX coach Yeng Guiao patiently awaits Asi Taulava’s decision on retirement

Asi Taulava is not yet retiring from professional basketball--- at least for now.

NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao said they are just waiting for the decision on whether his prized slotman will actually call it a career, but feels that if it comes down to that, the Road Warriors would be ready as they still have a bevy of big men at their disposal.

“He has yet to decide but once we are about to start the conference, we have to make a final lineup and he has to decide by that time,” Guiao told GMA News Online in a telephone conversation.

“Whether he makes the lineup or not, maybe that will be determined in the coming days.”

Talks of possible retirement surfaced early this year for the 21-year veteran. And Guiao said that if ever Taulava finally hangs his sneakers, they are willing to offer him a new role.

According to Guiao, whose team is currently holding its training in Pampanga, the 6-foot-9 Taulava could be part of the coaching staff in order to be with the team still.

“Maybe he'll be part of the coaching staff.”

But Guiao is confident that even without Taulava, who has been with the franchise since 2013, their frontcourt would still be promising with the presence of other big men in Mike Miranda, Kris Porter, and Raul Soyud, who turned heads during the 2020 Philippine Cup.

The 6-foot-6 Miranda was a key cog in the bubble after averaging 6.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assist while Porter, who played sparingly last conference, posted norms of 6.3 markers, 3.7 boards, and 0.3 assist.

But it was Soyud who impressed the most last year after he averaged 10.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists for the Road Warriors who finished ninth place with a 5-6 win-loss record.

His contribution was so remarkable that he earned a nomination for the most Improved Player award, a plum that eventually went to Prince Caperal of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

A possible replacement for Taulava was also Beau Belga but Guiao said a deal with Rain or Shine isn't likely to materialize since the Elasto Painters have yet to respond.

“Asi is a big loss once he calls it a career so we have to make do with what we have,” said the 62-year-old Guiao. —JMB, GMA News