December 16 ------ ASI Taulava isn’t keen on moving to the coaching ranks after he retired after 24 seasons in the PBA. The 50-year-old Taulava said he prefers to do motivational talks with players especially those who are in the provinces eager to get an opportunity rather than coaching. “I have zero patience to be a coach,” said Taulava on Wednesday. “But I’m fine with communicating with those players, giving motivational talks. That’s where I’m good at, going to the provinces, inspiring young kids to chase their dreams.”
Knowing the difficulties of coaching, Taulava paid tribute to those who handled him all throughout his journey in the PBA. Taulava made special mention of Yeng Guiao and Franz Pumaren, two of the coaches he had during the tailend of his career. Taulava mentioned that he has known Guiao for an extensive period, tracing their connection back to the time he played in the Philippine Basketball League when Guiao served as the commissioner. Additionally, Guiao coached Taulava at NLEX from 2016 to 2022, further solidifying their longstanding relationship. “Not only did he teach me skills of basketball, but also become a better husband, a better father, better person, better teammate, and better brother for my teammates,” said Taulava in his retirement speech. “Any team he coaches, it’s about family first. That’s what I love about him. I thank you for making me believe in myself because I thought my days playing in the PBA was over," said Taulava of Pumaren, now a congressman in the third district of Quezon City. "But you used to push me to the limit and I’ll always remember that."
In his speech, Guiao said he would have loved to coach Taulava earlier than their time with NLEX as he would have developed an outside shot. “One thing I told Asi when he was playing for NLEX, sana maaga kitang naging player. Kung natuto ka sa three-point shot ng maaga aga, siguro may mga 10 years pa si Asi sa career niya. Bugbugan kasi ang laro ni Asi noong araw. The wear and tear in his body took the toll. But he lasted 24 seasons, more than anybody else in the PBA. That’s how he loves the game. That’s how he loves his family and the basketball fans,” said Guiao.
Even before he announced his retirement, Taulava has been busy going around the nearby provinces as the NLEX ambassador where he hopes to serve as an inspiration to aspiring players. “You’ll never know. Probably one of the provincial areas where we are doing outreach programs especially the clinics will be the next superstars in the PBA and the next Gilas guys. That’s where majority of the players are discovered in the provincial areas, those guys who are trying to get discovered and be given an opportunity to play in the PBA,” said Taulava.
Source: spin.ph
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