Sporting Chance

Mobiline center Asi Taulava's mother Pauline Hernandez Mateaki isn't aware that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has denied her son's application for a Certificate of Recognition (CR).

In an interview arranged by Viva Vintage executive Ronnie Nathanielsz for the TV network the other day, Taulava said he hasn't broken the bad news to his mother. "I don't want to cause her any more pain," he explained. "My father has a kidney problem and she's distraught about it. I don't want to add to her worries."

On his mother's looks, Taulava admitted she's tall for a Filipina but that doesn't mean she's not a Filipina. "You should see my sister Numa--she looks just like a Filipina," he said. "She came to Manila recently to bring my birth documents. I don't think anyone will question that she's part Filipina."

Taulava said he's matured since last year and is looking forward to leading Mobiline to the top of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). "Only one person can help me walk the straight path and that's me," he said. "I took short-cuts in the past. People were pulling me from different directions. I had endorsements, a TV show, and people hanging around me. I lost my focus. But I've grown up. I've lost 27 pounds and I'm in shape. I'm raring to play."

Taulava said he trains thrice a day and sees his Bulakeña girlfriend Anna Mae Corveau, with whom he's engaged, only on weekends. He plans to settle down somewhere in Alabang where the air is fresh and the traffic isn't as bad as in Makati.

But if the BI refuses to reverse its decision to deport the alleged Fil-Tongan, Taulava's future here is doomed.

The day after finding out the BI's decision, Taulava was excused from attending the Mobiline practice game against Pop Cola but showed up anyway. A source said he played only in the second half and scored 20 points in 21 minutes--an awesome performance from someone with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Taulava, incidentally, is checking out of his Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel room and will stay in an inconspicuous condominium unit in Pasig. A sign of a new lifestyle?

Purefoods' Fil-Am frontliner Andy Seigle confirmed yesterday his Filipino cousin will accompany Taulava to Samar in searching for long-lost relatives. Seigle's mother is from Samar.

Seigle and Taulava are best friends who used to be teammates at Mobiline. Their partnership broke up when Seigle was traded to Purefoods last year.

Seigle said things are looking up for the Hot Dogs this season. "Alvin (Patrimonio) is in great shape -- he's pressing close to 300 pounds in the gym," he noted. "Captain's stronger than ever and he's become a 3-point threat, too. Noy (Castillo) is a tremendous addition -- his outside shooting opens up things for us inside."

Seigle also singled out reserve guard Jesse Cabanayan for his work ethic, Boyet Fernandez for his clutch shooting, and Richard Yee for his aggressiveness.

What about E.J. Feihl? "He's got to get stronger," he replied. "E.J. has a lot of potential but he's got to press more than 120 pounds, do more than four pushups, and stop whining when he's banged up. Seriously, I think E. J. can become a force in the league."

On his younger brother Danny, Seigle said the San Miguel Beer hotshot has barely scratched the surface of what he can do on the court. "You ain't seen nothin' yet," said Seigle. "Danny can shoot that ball and what he's shown so far, that's just for openers."

What about his own game? "You watch me this season," beamed the popular, fun-loving Seigle.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao is back where he belongs -- coaching in the PBA. He said the Energizers are the youngest and least experienced team in the pros but he's hoping to pull some surprises this year. Guiao's not promising anything except that his boys will be fighting tooth and nail game after game.

Although Guiao will be calling the shots for Red Bull, fans hope to continue hearing his insights and expert analysis on Viva Vintage TV. Same for the highly-respected Dr. J, Andy Jao who's the Red Bull assistant manager. Guiao's assistant coaches are Roehl Nadurata, Gil Lumberio, and Rudy Hines. Team manager is Tony Chua. That's quite a high-powered front office corps.

Red Bull promises to be an exciting club. Guiao's lineup lists Kerby Raymundo, Junthy Valenzuela, Jimwell Torion, Lordy Tugade, Joseph Gumatay, Bernard Tanpua, and Fil-Am Devon Harp plus veterans Ato Agustin, Glenn Capacio, Edmund Reyes, and Roel Buenaventura. Among the free agents who tried out were Terry Saldana and Boy Cabahug.

Incidentally, Red Bull is just one of many top quality products distributed by team owner George Chua. Others include Agfa Film and Dreyer's ice cream - known for its "mochi" and sugar-free flavors. Red Bull's surely a welcome addition to the PBA ranks.

Postscript. Is it true that Purefoods sacked so-called Fil-Am Al Segova when officials discovered his birth certificate was doctored? The rumor is a computer was used to indicate Segova's father is a Filipino in his birth certificate. Segova exited in such a huff that he left behind a lot of his belongings like a stereo system, a TV set, a video machine, and others. Expect an auction or a raffle soon. No one has heard from Segova since his hasty departure...Since Chip Engelland has worked wonders in improving Grant Hill's stroke, surely there's a place for Bogs Adornado in the PBA as a shooting coach...Someone swore he saw a recent episode of a highly-rated police live action TV series in which Tony Harris was ordered out of his car and handcuffed for drunk driving. Harris was supposedly heard on TV declaring to policemen that he's a former National Basketball Association (NBA) star who's played in the Philippines and Europe. It looks like the Hurricane has calmed down--he was recently cut by San Diego in the International Basketball Association, a minor pro league.