Itâs not easy to practice twice a day almost every day for two different teams. Especially for a 37-year-old body. But Asi Taulava knows the price of making the ultimate sacrifice â as in playing for flag and country.
The coaches would tell me that this is Meralco and weâre not running Gilasâ plays. I just told them, so what, itâs under one company. â Asi Taulava, Meralco Bolts center
âSomebody has to do it and if itâs me, then itâs an honor and privilege playing for flag and country again, even if it means having to attend twice-a-day practices," Taulava told GMANews.TV. The 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan has been faithfully honoring his commitments to both the Meralco Bolts and RP-Smart Gilas. Taulava practices daily with the Bolts â his mother team in the PBA â and attends the training sessions of the RP-Smart Gilas national developmental team at night. The 2003 PBA Most Valuable Player is one of the three pro players loaned to the RP-Smart Gilas squad for the upcoming Asian Games. Other PBA players tapped to beef up the team were former MVP Kelly Williams of Talk N Text and Sol Mercado of Rain or Shine.
Asi Taulava (middle) is working double time both for his mother team Meralco and the RP-Smart Gilas team vying in the Guangzhuo Asian Games next month. GMANews.TV
A many-time national team member, Taulava knows the twice-a-day practice has certainly taken its toll on him. âIâve lost 20 or 30 pounds, but on the other hand, it keeps me in great shape and I feel good about it as I want to help my team, Meralco in the PBA, and the RP- Smart Gilas squad in the Asian Games," said Taulava. Taulava isnât the only one who has noticed the effect of the doubled practice sessions. âAsi is a tired man. Heâs been practicing twice a day and itâs not easy considering the fact that he doesnât have the youthful legs anymore," said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. âBut I told him to challenge his excuses." There were even times when Taulava seemed to get confused when the Bolts would run plays for him. âThe coaches would tell me that this is Meralco and weâre not running Gilasâ plays. I just told them, so what, itâs under one company," said Taulava in jest. -
KY, GMANews.TV