It was May 12, 1999. Asi Taulava, then a highly-touted rookie, was sitting on the bench sobbing and being comforted by his teammates, while almost all of the crowd that trooped to the Philsports Arena in Pasig were in jubilation.
Taulava could hardly accept what had happened that night. His Mobiline squad had just become the first top-seeded team in the PBA brought down by a number eight in the quarterfinals. They had lost to Ginebra, 82-81, via Bal David’s buzzer-beater.
Two decades later, the multi-decorated 6-foot-9 center — now 46 years old — suffered the very same heartbreak.
Taulava saw history repeat itself when his NLEX became the fourth number-one team in league history ousted by an eighth-ranked squad. Wednesday night, the Road Warriors bowed to the NorthPort Batang Pier in triple overtime, 123-126, in the 2019 Governors’ Cup quarters.
The Fil-Tongan center, though, handled this one better. For him, it will be a lesson for the young ones.
“Let’s look at the positive things. We’ve got the young guys. [It] Becomes a learning lesson,” he said. “I’ve been through it. These tough times, it happens. It’s how you bounce back. Now we’re going to preparation, gonna get some rest.
“The feeling that lingers, it hurts. But we just got to prepare.”
The former league MVP logged in 20 minutes and 19 seconds, and finished with six points and nine rebounds. He had taken the spot of Poy Erram, who, along with Paul Varilla, got suspended for fighting Michael Qualls in their clash last Monday.
“Just filling in for Poy. Poy is our big, the star of our team. When he went down, got suspended, I just played my role,” he said. “Whenever coach needs me, I was there to help him. It was a fun battle, but unluckily for us, we fell short.”
Taulava played the best that he can. And that’s because he drew inspiration from his daughter Bella.
“It’s her birthday. That was the reason I was playing so hard tonight,” Taulava said. “I told her last night, if we win tonight, I am going to dedicate the win for her.
“We love you Bella, Daddy fell short. I’m coming home.”
Wednesday night made for a tough defeat to swallow. But for Taulava, it will only help the Road Warriors become better.
“The way we played this season, we’re a lot more competitive since Kiefer [Ravena went back]. The only way from here is up,” he said. “We went number one in the conference, come in the playoffs and lose a big one.
“It was a battle. Neither team wanted to lose. We fought ’til the end but tonight wasn’t our night.”
