Asi case adds up to the hype

Asi Taulava has become a hot topic once again as the Talk n Text Phone Pals hope to welcome the 6-foot-8 behemoth back in their lineup with the team about to figure in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup finals versus the San Miguel Beermen.

Talk n Text coach Joel Banal and his players pitched for Taulava even as import Jerald Honeycutt stressed they won’t lose their goal to win the championship with or without the suspended player.

Talk n Text officials said they will file a new appeal to the Commissioner’s Office if that is needed for Taulava’s case to be reopened.

"The Bureau of Immigration, the Games and Amusements Board, the Department of Justice and the Court of Appeals find no objections on having Asi play. All documents have been submitted to Commissioner’s Office and if newspapers reports are true that the league commissioner wants us to make another appeal, then for the nth time we’ll do," said Talk n Text board representative Ricky Vargas.

"Kumpleto ang na ang papel ni Asi. They’re (PBA officials) just delaying everything. For some reason, they just want to look the other way," said team manager Frankie Lim.

But PBA commissioner Noli Eala stressed Taulava’s case has always been monitored and evaluated. In fact, Eala said they’re awaiting reply from the Department of Justice as they sought clarification on a recent DOJ endorsement of Taulava’s return in the league.

Eala said that Taulava has been cleared by DOJ for a return stint in the PBA with a condition to first secure a work permit with the Bureau of Immigration.

"If he gets a work permit, it might be used against him (in his case in court). Kasi foreigner lang ang may kailangan ng work permit," said Eala.

In a pre-finals press conference yesterday, Banal said: "My wish is for Asi to be cleared for a return stint with us. It’s not about to our advantage or disadvantage. It’s because he’s part of our team."

But San Miguel team captain Olsen Racela expressed confidence they can hold their ground even with Taulava in the Talk n Text roster.

"Coach Jong and his staff work so hard that I think they can handle the situation even if Asi plays for Talk n Text," said Racela.

All personalities who graced the press conference expected total war between these two teams pitted in the finals for the first time in league history.

"It’s going to be a war. We like the challenge and we’re excited to play them (Beermen) in the finals. We hope to fight them toe-to-toe, possession for possession," said Banal.

"It’s a race to four games. It’s gonna be competitive the whole 48 minutes of every game," said San Miguel import Ace Custis.

Custis and Talk n Text counterpart Honeycutt said they’ve long been good friends but will be fierce rivals once the ball is tipped in the air.

"It will be a competition in the highest level," said Honeycutt.

Racela thought Custis’ quickness will give Talk n Text big problem on match-ups.

"I’m confident and excited because I think we have the perfect import for our team now. Mahihirapan ang Talk n Text humanap ng panapat kay Custis sa quickness niya," said Racela.

Talk n Text is into its second straight finals stint after losing to Barangay Ginebra in the last Philippine Cup, and third in the last four conferences since scoring its breakthrough title in the 2003 All-Filipino Cup opposite Coca-Cola.

As the league’s most successful franchise, San Miguel holds a long, winning tradition which had the team making it to the finals for the 27th time since 1975 and the ninth time in the last 15 conferences with Jong Uichico as coach.

But the Beermen haven’t won a championship since the 2001All-Filipino Cup and never been into the finals since losing to the Coca-Cola Tigers in the 2003 Reinforced Conference.

The title drought, according to Danny Ildefonso and Dondon Hontiveros, is what makes the Beermen feel the urgency to win this one.

Meanwhile, Eala said stiff sanctions will be meted out on the referees who officiated Game Four of the Talk n Text-Shell duel Sunday marred by dubious calls at endgame.

Eala earlier reviewed the game tape and interviewed referees Mario Montiel, Joey Calungcaguin and Throngy Aldava.