Durable Asi relishes longest All-Star stint

MANILA, Philippines — If there is an all-time all star in the PBA All-Star, Asi Taulava will be the No. 1 pick.

The 45-year-old veteran will be playing in a record 16th All-Star game as he suits up for the PBA Visayas selection opposite the national men’s team during the final leg of the annual event on May 27 in Iloilo.

Aware of his having the longest All-Star stint in league history, Taulava couldn’t recall the number of times he had seen action in the mid-season spectacle.

“I lost track,” said Taulava. “But it’s always an honor to be part of the All-Star weekend. The All-Star has always been an outreach program for us players to give back to the fans.”

The NLEX big man, however, missed three All-Star editions – in 2000 (Iloilo), 2013 (Digos), and 2014 (Mall of Asia Arena).

But he’ll be back this year for a fourth straight appearance as part of coach Chito Victolero’s unit during the final phase of the three-leg tour with Phoenix Fuel, with Phoenix Pulse Technology as major sponsor.

Among Taulava’s Visayas teammates is James Yap of Rain or Shine, who made the All-Star for the 15th straight time.

“Some people take it for granted, but throughout my whole career, I always appreciate it. This means a lot,” said Taulava, who was All-Star MVP twice –  in 2004 and 2006.

This year’s All-Star edition supported by Peak Sports Apparel, Molten, PBA RUSH-Cignal, Nature’s Spring, TAGHeuer, Gatorade and Rain or Shine, kicks off on May 23 in Digos, Davao del Sur featuring the PBA Mindanao selection, coached by Tim Cone, against the national team.