Now 40 pounds lighter after going through the cutthroat competition in the American Basketball Association (ABA), Taulava has tried to stay away from the limelight which he hogged since he broke into the national consciousness as a Fil-Tongan player for the Mobiline Phone Pals two years ago.
While his comeback to the pro league remains uncertain at this stage, the 27-year-old, 6-foot-10 Taulava is all set to marry Corveau, a 23-year-old model from Bulacan who graduated cum laude from the UST and whom he has a six-month old daughter named Asiana.
They were reportedly married in civil rites before Taulava left for the US last year and are discussing details of their grand church wedding probably in Malolos, Bulacan where Ms. Corveau hails from.
Upon his arrival and after a short chat with his former Mobiline teammates, Taulava went straight to Bulacan and stayed away from PBA action. Sources said a petition from his girlfriend paved the way for the temporary lifting of Taulava’s ban in the country.
Mobiline team manager Frankie Lim said the team lawyers are working for the reopening of his case with the Department of Justice.
A comeback by Taulava is expected to further boost the bid of the Phone Pals with the cager likely to flaunt a more devastating form, having honed up his skills and talent in tough competitions like the ABA. He is reportedly set to join his former teammates in workout today, according to coach Louie Alas.  Dante Navarro