Taulava signs 2-yr max deal, eyes Finals stint for NLEX

MANILA, Philippines - Asi Taulava is set to defy Father Time for two more years.

The 41-year old former MVP finally came to terms with the NLEX Road Warriors, who took over the Air21 franchise.  Taulava signed a Php 10 million worth of deal for the next two years easily making him the centerpiece of the MVP Group's third franchise in the league.

The 6-foot-9 veteran center deserved every peso of the lucrative contract following a big season where he averaged 14.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and two assists that gave him MVP consideration.

"I'm just happy and blessed that given my age, they gave me a two-year extension," Taulava told Philstar.com after he signed the new deal.

"Now I can focus to going back to the things I've been used to, that is getting back to the finals," Taulava added.

After building a dynasty in the PBA D-League with seven championships, NLEX is hell bent on continuing the tradition in the pro league.

"We want to continue NLEX's winning tradition and hope to build another dynasty in the PBA," Taulava said.

Except for Joseph Yeo, who was dealt to Brgy. Ginebra prior to the sale of the Air21 franchise, NLEX is going into its maiden season in the PBA with an intact lineup that forced eventual Grand Slam champion San Mig Super Coffee to a decider in their best-of-five semifinals last conference.

"The most important thing is the team is intact. Joseph's shoes will be hard to fill but I'm happy with our pickups especially Matt Rosser-Ganuelas. We got a couple of pieces to the puzzle," Taulava said.

Ganuelas, who was key player in NLEX's championship run in the D-League, was the fourth overall pick in last Sunday's rookie draft. The ultra-athletic rookie is also expected to sign a multi-year, multi-million deal in the next coming days.