MANILA, Philippines – Asi Taulava knows by heart that his shot at becoming the PBA’s Most Valuable Player at 41 is tied with Air21 Express’ fate in the season-ending Governors’ Cup.
Taulava has made a big leap from no.8 to no. 4 in the MVP race after his solid showing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup leading the Express to a surprising semifinals appearance.
“It all depends on how far I can bring Air21 deeper in the playoffs. The farther I get Air21 and hopefully in the Finals, it makes a lot easier. But if I don’t put forward my priorities first, that will only hurt my chances. So my focus right now is to help Air21 qualify for the playoffs,†Taulava told Philstar.com.
He took off from where he left off last conference carrying the Express to a franchise-best 2-0 start. He averaged 20.5 points, 13 rebounds and 3.5 assists in Air21’s victories over Rain or Shine and Barako Bull.
Taulava, the 2003 MVP, earned the first Player of the Week honors in the season-ending conference with his herculean effort. But the 6-9 Fil-Tongan center will face an acid test this Tuesday when his Air21 takes on Brgy. Ginebra in a battle of unbeaten teams.
Taulava will go head-to-head against the Kings’ rookie center Greg Slaughter who has blossomed under new coach Jeff Cariaso’s triangle system.
The 7-foot Slaughter has normed 20.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3 block shots as Brgy. Ginebra chalked up victories against GlobalPort and Meralco in Cariaso’s initial two outings as a PBA head coach.
Taulava, though is unfazed, with the team finally coming together after several seasons of frustrations.
“Right now our confidence is still high coming off that semifinals appearance last conference. We want to build on that and want to go back to the semis. And at the same time, like coach Franz is stressing that ‘every game is a playoff game’,†Taulava said.
“Right now, we’re focused. Our mindset is different from before. We no longer want that tag of being a pushover team where teams battle us looking for wins,†he added.