Taulava questions new PBA requirement

The Philippine Basketball Association cannot require Paul Asi Taulava to prove anew his eligibility to play in the PBA since the same has already been proven by the player in 2001.

Taulava’s lawyer, Eduardo Francisco, pointed this out in his March 8 letter to PBA commissioner Noli Eala as he questioned the new requirement for reinstatement imposed by the PBA on Taulava.

"The eligibility of Mr. Taulava has already been established when he entered into the PBA uniform player contract covering the period June 2001 to December 2005, which the then PBA commissioner approved," Francisco told Eala.

"Hence, Taulava’s eligibility to play has been clearly demonstrated when the 2004-2005 All-Filipino Conference started on October 2, 2004 until he was suspended from play," Francisco said.

The lawyer stressed that the PBA cannot require Taulava to re-apply for reinstatement by submitting new documents as that would also violate an order of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for the PBA to set aside its suspension of Taulava.

While a petition for certiorari filed by the PBA before the Court of Appeals temporarily held in abeyance the enforcement of the Quezon City court order, Francisco said they welcome the move made by the PBA.

"We welcome this petition by the PBA since we firmly believe that Taulava’s case is meritorious. We are ready to face the PBA before the CA which we hold with the highest respect," Francisco said.