NLEX placed Asi Taulava on the active roster ahead of its match against San Miguel Beer in the opener of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The team said the 48-year-old was included in the 15-man lineup in hopes of having enough frontcourt options after the Road Warriors placed Raul Soyud and Kris Porter on the injured list.
Coach Yeng Guiao is hoping that NLEX can perform well in the season-ending conference and give the 48-year-old Taulava what could possibly be a perfect swansong.
“If we do good this conference, I think it will serve as a fitting sendoff for Asi because he deserves such tribute,” Guiao said on the Road Warriors’ official site ArangkadaNLEX.com.
Taulava will get a chance to play in his 22nd PBA season which will break his tie with Abet Guidaben for second all-time.
Only Robert Jaworski had more seasons with 23, though he spent his final PBA campaign in 1998 focusing on his role as Ginebra coach.
Taulava didn’t play a single game for the Road Warriors during the Philippine Cup, but Guiao said the 2003 Most Valuable Player kept himself in shape even when he’s not around.
He last saw action for the Road Warriors in the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble.
The Road Warriors are aiming for a better showing after being eliminated by the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals last conference.
Former TNT import KJ McDaniels was signed by NLEX for the return of the reinforced tournament.