Sleepless in Samar, Taulava still in peak form in Gilas practice

Veteran national team campaigner Asi Taulava. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

How crazy was Asi Taulava’s Friday?

After departing the Gilas practice on Thursday, he went back home and left for the airport at 2:30 a.m. to catch his 4:30 a.m. flight for Tacloban, which was delayed until 5 a.m.

When he got there, he had to go on a four-hour drive and a one-hour boat ride just to get to Manicani Island in Samar where he had an outreach program with Nickel Asia and former PBA governor JB Baylon.

Taulava had to do it all again and his 5 p.m. flight bound for Manila was delayed numerous times before finally leaving the Tacloban Airport at 7:15 p.m. He then arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) at 7:50 p.m. and had to wiggle himself through the Manila traffic just to make it to the Meralco Gym in time for the Gilas practice, where he arrived at 9 p.m. sharp.

And when the 2003 PBA MVP finally settled himself in, he got out on the floor and did what he did best, jostle for position down low and, in one sequence, dove for the loose ball.

And he did all that without any decent sleep.

But for Taulava, there are no excuses.

“I promised coach I’ll be here,” he said. “We all got certain priorities, but we lay it on the line and play hard.”

READ: Taulava, Norwood ‘blessed,’ ‘honored’ to be part of Gilas pool | Taulava excited to play alongside Abueva in Gilas pool

With the national team hobbled in one way or another, Taulava believes something special is in store for the squad as long as they keep on working hard.

“All of us need to push one another. It’s not going to be an easy road,” he said. “This journey is going to be tough. People are doubting us, but we use it as a motivation. We can’t do anything about it because everybody has their own opinions. Right now, we just want to come here, continue working, and get better every day.” IDL