THE longest playing tenure in PBA history finally came to an end Wednesday night.
NLEX officially retired the no. 88 playing jersey of Asi Taulava, capping a long, 24-year playing career that had its own share of ups and downs.
The 50-year-old Taulava was with his entire family during the retirement ceremony held at halftime of the PBA Commissioner's Cup game between TNT and NLEX at Philsports Arena.
The evergreen Fil-Tongan was activated prior to the game to make it official his 24th season in the league in a career that began in 1999 as the direct Fil-foreign hire of TNT.
Coach Frankie Lim then made him part of the starting unit along with Rob Herndon, Matt Nieto, rookie Enoch Valdez, and import Stokley Chaffee.
Sponsored content:
The former league MVP played for almost two minutes and grabbed a rebound before finally being taken out in a graceful exit for one of the league's most dominating big men during his prime.
Too bad, NLEX lost the game, 113-97 as it squandered a 22-point deficit.
Still it wasn't enough to spoil the moment of seeing the big fellow finally ride into the sunset.
"It's done. I'm sad and happy. But it's been a good journey. A long 24 years. Nothing to complain about," said Taulava "I'm grateful. Grateful to the PBA, grateful to NLEX."
Aside from his wife and four children, people who were part of Taulava's PBA journey were there - from former coaches Yeng Guiao and Franz Pumaren, former Coca-Cola team governor JB Baylon, and Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy, who was responsible for bringing Taulava in the country as part of his Blue Detergent team in 1997.
Sponsored content:
NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre and Commissioner Willie Marcial were also present when Asi was presented with his framed no. 88 NLEX jersey
The ceremony was held at the same playing venue where Taulava played his debut game for TNT opposite Tanduay 24 years ago.
"Words can't explain how I feel. I was trying to keep it together. I didn't want to cry in front of the young guys, especially since I know their dads. Just being here, it's just awesome," he said.
Taulava was hailed MVP in 2003 when he won his first and only PBA championship. He holds the record for the most number of All-Star game appearances at 17, was a four-time Mythical First Team and four-time Mythical Second Team member as well. He's also a member of the PBA's 40 Greatest Players.
He played for TNT, Coca-Cola, Meralco, Air21, and NLEX, where he spent the last nine seasons of his career.
For the record too, Taulava became only the second player after the legendary Robert Jaworski to play in a PBA game at age 50. (RG)
