Taulava determined on moving to coaching after playing career

MANILA, Philippines—Asi Taulava has got his retirement plan all laid out.

One of the league’s most endearing players, Taulava is certain that his playing career is near its end and the jovial giant knows that the next viable step is to head into coaching.

Taulava has already started off as an assistant with the University of the Philippines women’s basketball team where his daughter Ash plays and for him, it’s already the start of a what could be a lengthy career on the bench.

“I have one leg in, I’ve already stuck one of my foot to the door,” said the 6-foot-9 Taulava as per PBA.ph.

Taulava is the deputy of Paul Ramos in UP but he’s also getting much-needed help from two of the Philippines’ greatest coaching minds.

Helping the 47-year-old center is his NLEX head coach Yung Guiao and National University mentor Patrick Aquino, both of whom are national team chiefs.

Guiao is a seven-time champion in the PBA and was twice named Coach of the Year while Aquino went undefeated in all his six title-winning years with the Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP.

“I have a good coach ahead of me, I want to thank coach Paul for giving me the opportunity,” said Taulava. “I always ask for advice. I want to understand the women’s game of basketball a little bit more. It happened to him [Aquino], and he just learned from experience.”

Taulava had a routine of going to UP’s practices regularly but the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to that so he now focuses on skills training with his daughter at home while also making sure his other children get in shape.

“My daughters, from 6 to 7:30 in the evening, they have skills work with me,” said Taulava, a one-time PBA MVP and 17-time All-Star. “It’s challenging to be a dad and a coach at the same time.”

“I love the game, and at the same time, I’ll be teaching. All this stuff I have in my head, I want to teach.”

Coaching full-time, however, will have to take a back seat with Taulava who is still an active player in the PBA.

/MUF