Asi awes Kobe’s dad

MANILA, Philippines - Asi Taulava’s gutsy performance at the age of 40 for Asean Basketball League finalist San Miguel Beermen has earned the admiration of Joe Bryant, coach of vanquished Sports Rev Thailand Slammers, who predicted the Pinoy team would go all the way to the title.

A smiling Bryant, father of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, went over to the TV interview area to give credit to Taulava for his solid outing not only in the Beermen’s 3-1 disposal of his Slammers in the semis but throughout the season.

“Forty years old, I mean, it’s really great. I’m close to 60 and when you see someone out there playing as hard and still has the desire to win, that really means a lot,” said Bryant, his arm around the 6-foot-9 Taulava, the adjudged Best Player in SMB’s 77-61 Game Four win.

Playing in the ABL for the first time, the Fil-Tongan star has been a key stalwart for SMB, helping the team post a record 16 straight wins en route to the top seeding in the playoffs with averages of 10.86 points, 7.36 rebounds and 1.82 assists. For his efforts, he’s been nominated for the coveted MVP plum.