THE ROCK IS STILL ROLLING
You know you’ve come full circle once you slay a ghost from the past by making one of your own.
Fifteen years since the top-seed Mobiline Phone Pals got downed by a miraculous Bal David game-winner, cementing more the credo of the Ginebra “never-say-die” spirit, Asi Taulava got his moment of retribution when he made a buzzer-beater of his own to force the first overtime, and then carried the Air21 Express in the second extra period to a 101-95 triumph over the twice-to-beat San Miguel Beer.
The Express advanced to the semifinals for the first time in franchise history since joining the league as Shopinas.com in 2011, as Taulava had 16 points, five in the second overtime, to go with nine boards, three blocks, and two assists. But the most impressive stat of the night for him was the playing time he had – 45 minutes despite being the league’s eldest statesman at 41.
Asi’s also making his first return trip to the Final Four after seven long years.
“We’re just lucky and fortunate, and we just capitalized when June Mar (Fajardo) fouled out. We just waited and the breaks of the game went our way,” he said.
“I have great respect for the San Miguel Beermen. That’s a great bunch of guys that they have. They’re so loaded and once they figure out how to play together, basketball becomes so easy especially having the most dominant big man right now with June Mar.”
Taulava adds, “Boy, that boy is heavy. I can feel my lower back and my hamstring throughout the game. I was trying to find ways to get him in foul trouble and he fouled out of the game. But other than that, he was so dominant tonight.”
After the game, the two behemoths shared a hug on the court, which was seen by many as the proverbial passing of the torch from the old guard to the new stud.
“I told him the PBA is his. That’s being straightforward and honest. Once they get things clicking, playing together, staying together, he’s going to dominate. I’m looking forward in matching up with him next conference,” said Asi.
Air21’s giant-killing victory served also as a reminder for Taulava of that moment with Mobiline – the young Asi, blonde as he is now, weeping on the floor as the legions of Ginebra fans celebrated on the court at the conclusion of his first playoff defeat in his rookie year.
“I lived with that nightmare for 15 years,” Taulava bared. “Being eliminated like that. Sometimes I say I forgot about it, but I tell you one thing, it did make me the person I am today – that pain knowing that it was there, going to the gym, spending all those extra hours working out with my personal trainer, making sure that when this opportunity comes, I’ll take advantage of it. And I was ready for it tonight. It took a little bit longer – two overtimes, but we did it.”
He added, “Coach was asking me if I was okay, and I said, ‘I’m the youngest player on the team, coach! Of course, I’m okay!'”
Though a lot of credit has been given to the wily veteran’s way, Taulava still deflected the praises, saying, “It was just a great team win. There were so many guys who stepped up. This team is coming together at the right time. We struggled throughout the season, but we’re peaking at the right time.”
He also resonated what coach Franz Pumaren said about the team overachieving, but at the same time hoping that the Express will not just be satisfied with this feat.
“We’re enjoying the moment, but once we get home, sleep and wake up tomorrow morning, we have to get ready for the semis,” Asi said.
“Nobody expected us to be there, but we felt that we were prepared. Nobody gave us a chance, so we believed in one another.” (RL)
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