CALASIAO, Pangasinan -- Asi Taulava is hoping to put on a good show and relish his unexpected 17th appearance in the PBA All-Star Game on Sunday.
The 46-year-old NLEX center became a late addition for the South All-Stars after Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Joe Devance suffered an injury during the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.
His entry has also prevented Rain or Shine's James Yap from tying his record for most stints in the annual spectacle.
Yap, who will also suit up for the Southerners, was set to tie the record with his 16th All-Star Game before Taulava replaced Devance.
"Every year seems like a surprise," said Taulava after driving all the way from Manila on Saturday to join the delegation. "This year, I thought I was gonna be exempted because of the age but this is fun and this is for the fans."
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Taulava's latest appearance came 20 years after his first when he suited up for the Rookies, Sophomores and Juniors team that lost to the Veterans at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
He shared Most Valuable Player honors with then-Talk 'N Text teammate Jimmy Alapag when the South won the 2004 edition in Cebu City before claiming his second award in the 2006 event held in Cagayan de Oro City.
"I guess the fans wanted me here and the PBA office and I'm honored to be here and I'm ready to put on a show even though I'm 46 years old," Taulava said. (JT)
