Taulava sees PBA All-Star stint as ‘second best’ to winning crown

Asi Taulava has been a staple in the PBA for almost twenty already, but the 45-year-old isn’t slowing down.

The league’s jovial giant, in fact, is set to feature in his 16th All-Star game as he represents Visayas in the three-leg event that will end on May 27 in Iloilo.

Taulava, who has been in the league since before the turn of the millennium, said he’s lost track of how many times he played in the midseason exhibition but he holds those appearances in high regard nonetheless.

“I’ve lost track of it but it’s always an honor to be part of the All-Star weekend,” said Taulava. “The All-Star has always been an outreach program for us players to give back to the fans.”

Taulava only missed the All-Star game three times in his stellar career that saw him win the MVP and the Finals MVP.

His last absence was in the 2014 edition and he has since appeared in four straight All-Star games.

“Some people take it for granted, but throughout my whole career, I always appreciate it,” said Taulava who now plays for NLEX. “This means a lot for me, it’s like second best to winning a championship.”