2015 PBA All-Star Weekend starters.
MANILA, Philippines – Asi Taulava, who just turned 42 on Monday, knows his record 13th All-Star Game on March 8 could be his last.
And what a finale it could be for Taulava.
The veteran Fil-Tongan center was voted by the fans as an All-Star starter in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“I want to enjoy the moment. I know that time is against me,” he said. “This might be my last All-Star Game, it might not, so I’ll just enjoy the moment and have fun.”
Taulava was snubbed in last year’s showcase and that moment served as a wakeup call, he said.
“In the past, I take it for granted. But now, I’ll be there to go out and play. No more taking time off, I’ll act like it’s a real PBA game,” said the 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan, who will team up with fellow giants June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter in the South Team.
With Taulava, the reigning league MVP Fajardo and the 7-foot Slaughter joining forces in the frontcourt, it will be embarrassing for their team to lose to the North squad, a team without a legitimate center with Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar or Purefoods’ Marc Pingris left with no choice but to play the five.
“It’s gonna be pretty embarrassing if we lose because we have June Mar and Greg. Us three are so tall that if we are lose, that speaks highly of the North. We don’t want that. We want to win.”
Taulava vows to repay the fans who voted him to the All-star spot.
“Everybody thinks that because it’s the All-Star Game, everybody’s just out there to have fun. Not this time. I’m going there for the win,” Taulava said. “I know the feeling from last season when I didn’t make it and I told myself that whenever I’ll be given an opportunity again, I’ll play my heart out for the fans. The fans got me there this All-Star and I want to give them something to cheer for, that they made the right decision in voting for me.”
What makes this year’s All-Star Game even more memorable to Taulava is getting to play with his good friend Jimmy Alapag.
Alapag, who has announced his retirement after Talk ‘N Text lost in the Philippine Cup semifinals, was added by the league to the All-Star Game as a fitting farewell to one of the fiercest competitors in the league. His jersey retirement ceremony will also be held during the event.
Taulava and Alapag were teammates for four years and were also named co-MVPs in the 2004 All-Star Game in Cebu.
“Playing alongside Jimmy, it’s something I’m looking forward to. Pride will be on the line, and with Jimmy playing, I’ll make sure everybody plays hard and do the right things to win,” he said.
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