Mobiline team officials are confident Asi Taulava will get a certificate of recognition from the Bureau of Immigration as his mother, the former Pauline Hernandez, is arriving to testify on his case.
The Taulava couple is arriving anytime next week from Los Angeles with Mrs. Taulava, allegedly a native of Samar, to substantiate all the documents submitted by her son to the BI.
This was bared by Mobiline team manager Debbie Tan, adding the ballclub is a bit worried with Taulava still has to get a clearance to play with only a little over a month to go before the 26th PBA season finally opens.
Taulava and the other Fil-Ams have found another problem with the Games and Amusements Board now requiring them to submit a certificate of Filipino citizenship before being issued a license.
Lawyers of Eric Menk, Sonny Alvarado, Nic Belasco, Andy Seigle and Chris Jackson are also still working to clear the players from their problems with the BI.
On Menk's case, Tanduay team manager David de Joya said they're still required to produce some papers though Menk's mother has already appeared at the BI.
Taulava's lawyers believe they have submitted proper documents and only need to present Asi's mother to gain the BI certification.
At the same time, Tan said they're still hoping to acquire the services of Jun Limpot although the Centennial team member was already traded by Sta. Lucia Realty to Barangay Ginebra.
"I heard Jun has yet to sign up with Ginebra. We're very interested to get him because a Limpot-(Jerry) Codiñera-(Vic) Pablo partnership will make us a versatile team," said Tan.
Tan also said they have given sophomore guard Robin Mendoza his release papers without condition following the entry of former MBA player Gherome Ejercito.
Mendoza's contract with Mobiline won't expire until next year. Tan said they will continue to pay the former FEU Tamaraw if no team picks him from the free agent pool.