Asi offers to lead RP team

Asi Taulava wants another tour of duty with the Philippine team but he’s not looking at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in 2006 but in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games in December.

And if his stint and schedule could still be arranged, the Talk N Text star even signified his intention to wear the tri-colors in the SEABA tilt late this month and the ABC Men’s Championship next month.

After hearing all the news about the unavailability of the country’s top amateurs to spearhead the RP team’s bid in various international competitions, Taulava volunteered for the job.

The Fil-Tongan behemonth, who had his first stint with the RP squad in the Busan Asian Games last year, bared the idea to the TNT coaching staff after watching the Nationals absorb a 55-95 rout from the San Miguel Beermen last week in the Samsung PBA Invitational Cup.

Interim TNT coach Ariel Vanguardia told The STAR that Taulava has, in fact, talked to fellow Fil-foreign players Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey and suggested that they offer their services to national team coach and TNT assistant mentor Aric del Rosario, whom they look up to like a father.

Upon hearing Taulava’s remarks, TNT skipper Vic Pablo, according to Vanguardia, came up with his own proposal to have the core of the Phone Pals volunteer for the job. "Dagdagan na lang daw sila ng mga limang amateurs, fight na sila," said Vanguardia.

"Nakakataba ng puso dahil eto mga professional at malalaki ang sweldo pero willing to play for the national team without pay," said Del Rosario.

"Of course, sa ABC malabo na yan dahil conflict sa PBA Third Conference. Sa SEABA naman kaya na yan ng mga amateurs. Yung offer ni Asi na maglaro sa SEA Games ay idi-discuss ko pa lang sa Cebuana Lhuillier," said Del Rosario.

Cebuana Lhuillier is the major sponsor of the RP team.

The veteran mentor hoped the PBA will allow Taulava to play in the SEA Games. "Nangako naman ang PBA na tutulong sila sa amin. Eto na lang ang tulong nila — payagan nilang lumaro si Asi," said Del Rosario.

Taulava told Del Rosario he is willing to sacrifice his annual vacation in the United States just to help the national team.

"Gustong matulungan si coach (Del Rosario) at ang national team dahil hindi nakapag-deliver ng medal sa Busan last year," said Virgil Villavicencio, another TNT assistant coach.

However, conflict of schedule remains Taulava’s main problem.

PBA operations officer Rickie Santos said the league’s third conference won’t end until the third week of December. The 2003 SEA Games is set Dec. 5-15.

At the moment, Del Rosario said his team is still composed of the players competing in the PBA Invitational. He is still awaiting words from St. Francis of Assissi on the possible entry of big men Ranidel de Ocampo and Erwin Sotto.

"Nakausap ko na si coach Gabby Velasco. Sabi niya ipagpapaalam niya sa St. Francis kaso hanggang ngayon wala pa ring tawag," added Del Rosario.

The team lost depth on the ouster of the UAAP stars Rich Alvarez, Wesley Gonzales, James Yap, Paul Artadi, Don Villamin, Alwin Espiritu, Gerald Jones and Mark Isip. But Del Rosario said he is still considering these players for the SEAG joust.