Older, tougher Taulava named ABL MVP

MANILA, Philippines - Life truly begins at 40 for San Miguel Beer’s Asi Taulava as the veteran Fil-Tongan beat the younger stalwarts of Asean Basketball League (ABL) for the 2013 Most Valuable Player honors.

Taulava, who seems to have found the fountain of youth playing in the home-and-away pro loop, earned the nod of his fellow players as the top individual performer this season. The 6-foot-9 cager won the coveted award 10 years after he copped the MVP plum during his heyday in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“To my San Miguel Beermen teammates, this award belongs to all of us,” said Taulava, his eyes remaining focused on the ultimate task at hand – the ABL title. “One person does not define our team. Our goal is winning a championship! “

Taulava accounts 10.9 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per outing and a whole gamut on intangibles for SMB, which is set to battle holders Indonesia Warriors for the crown beginning tomorrow’s Game One at Ynares Sports Arena.

Taulava nosed out teammate Chris Banchero, Sports Rev Thailand Slammers’ Froilan Baguion, Saigon Heat’s Jai Reyes and Warriors’ Mario Wuysang for the accolade.

“Asi is the epitome of how hard work can bear fruit, how perseverance always pays off and how second chances are precious. Asi is about this life,” said San Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala.