The NLEX Road Warriors activated Asi Taulava for their game against the TNT Tropang Giga on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena. The move was made to give way to the 50-year-old center’s jersey retirement ceremony at halftime.
If ever he checks into the contest, it will be the 24th season for the 2003 PBA MVP. It will also mean that he will surpass the iconic Robert Jaworski Sr. as the longest-tenured cager in Asia’s first-ever professional basketball league.
On Wednesday, NLEX forward Sean Anthony honored his legendary teammate through an Instagram post featuring a collage of photos of him and The Rock.
“24 years in the PBA is an amazing feat. Congrats on an amazing career and thanks for all the memories and great times @agelessasi88. Let’s get this last one tonight,” Anthony wrote in the caption.
Included in the post was a picture taken in 2016, when the two were named to the PBA Mythical Second Team.
There are zero lies in Anthony’s post. Taulava's longevity is indeed ridiculously impressive. His long list of accolades is astonishing. A beast on the court and a fun-loving character off it, he surely had numerous unforgettable moments with Anthony and his other hoop brothers in the PBA.
ALSO READ: PBA great Asi Taulava keeps it real with Kai Sotto and his NBA dream
Tonight, Taulava will face the franchise where his colorful PBA journey began. Then known as the Mobiline Phone Pals, the team recruited the 6-foot-9 Filipino-Tongan as a direct hire in 1999. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Without a doubt, a victory for NLEX will certainly taste extra sweet for Ageless Asi.
Catch the game between NLEX and TNT live later at 8 p.m. on A2Z, PBA rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.
(PM)