Asi Taulava had his jersey number 88 retired by the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday during halftime of their game against the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Aside from leaving the game as the longest-tenured cager in league history, the 24-year PBA veteran will also be remembered as one of the Philippines' best big men ever.
The mark that the 2003 PBA MVP etched in the game will remain for the next generations of hoops fans to marvel at. And unsurprisingly, those who witnessed The Rock up close vouched for his greatness.
Six-time PBA Coach of the Year Chot Reyes, who handled Taulava several times on Gilas Pilipinas, summed up the 50-year-old center's unprecedented run.
“Cheers to a heckuva career, @agelessasi88,” Reyes posted on his Instagram Story.
Another legendary PBA big man in Ali Peek also honored his longtime friend and rival. And in case you forgot, their low-post battles back in the day had seismic consequences. It's also worth mentioning that Taulava and Peek were traded for each other in 2007, sending the former to the Coca-Cola Tigers and the latter to the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
“Asi took the league by storm ( I know ‘cause I was there 😂 ), he was this larger-than-life figure in the world of Philippine basketball, and brought so many fans back into the arenas just so they can get a glimpse and share the experience of seeing The Rock play,” Peek posted on Instagram.
Ranidel de Ocampo never became teammates with Taulava in the PBA, but he played alongside him during their time with Gilas Pilipinas. RDO described his kuya as a "great player and competitor" and a "strong man, also in mind." He also lovingly called him "Congressman."
Of course, Taulava's former tag team partner Jimmy Alapag had to give his old teammate his flowers. As dominant as Asi was, he only won one chip, the 2003 PBA All-Filipino Cup, alongside The Mighty Mouse.
“Celebrating our championship together back in 2003 for Talk ‘N Text was a special time and I’m glad I was able to play a small part in your long career,” said the Gilas Pilipinas icon in an Instagram video uploaded by NLEX.
"You’ve had an incredible impact on Philippine basketball, both in the PBA and for the national team. Proud to say, I went to battle with you,” Alapag added.
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Taulava will end his career as a former MVP, a 17-time All-Star, and one of the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players. And yes, getting his second ring is not yet out of the equation.
(PM)