Asi’s cousin affirms Pinoy roots

Lebanese national cager Paul Afeaki Khouri said recently he is Asi Taulava’s first cousin and confirmed the Talk ’N’ Text center’s Filipino heritage.

Khouri was in town to play for the Sagesse club in the FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball)-Asia Champions Cup two weeks ago. His mother is the sister of Taulava’s father Pauliasi.

According to Khouri, he was born in San Francisco and his parents never married. He assumed his mother’s surname Afeaki. He said his father, who died two years ago, was Lebanese.

The reason why his mother’s surname is not Taulava is because of a long-running bitter family feud that split the clan into factions, explained Khouri.

"The feud is a long story," said Khouri. "I was never that close to Asi’s family although I know his mother (Pauline Hernandez Mateaki) is Filipina. I just don’t know if she was born in the Philippines."

Khouri took his father’s surname when he relocated to Lebanon and was recruited to play for the national team.

Khouri, 37, was listed as a native of Nukualofa, Tonga, by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook which said he went to the US to play hoops at South San Francisco high school. He later played for Snow Junior College in Idaho, averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds, then saw action in two years for the University of Utah, an NCAA Division I contender. Khouri played six years as an import in Japan before moving to Lebanon.

When Khouri played at the 2002 World Basketball Championships in Indianapolis, a media guidebook said he was born in Lebanon.

Khouri, a burly 6-9 center, played a key role in Lebanon’s 100-90 win over the Philippines in the Champions Cup. He hit 3-of-3 field goals and 4-of-4 foul shots plus grabbed 10 rebounds in 23 minutes.

Khouri and Taulava were together every day during his Manila visit.

"Asi could help the Philippine team," said Khouri. "I don’t have any Filipino blood. My mother is from Tonga and my father, from Lebanon. But Asi’s mother is Filipina. That should make him eligible to play for the Philippines like I’m eligible to play for Lebanon."

Jordanian coach Maz Trakh also said Taulava would be an asset to the Philippine squad.

"If Asi’s in the Philippine team, it would be fighting for first, second or third place in Asia," said Trakh. "Without Asi, it would be fighting for fifth, sixth or seventh place. If Asi could play for Jordan, I would’ve taken him instead of (Ontario) Lett."

Trakh met Taulava when he had a one-month stint as Talk ’N’ Text consultant two years ago.

"Asi looks great," he said. "He’s lost about 20 pounds since I last saw him. With so many good shooters on the Philippine team, the only thing lacking is an inside threat. Asi could make a real impact for the Philippines because he demands the double team. He’ll make it easier for the shooters to get open and find their spots."

Trakh said the Philippine team’s biggest asset is quickness.

"The players just need to be more familiar with each other," he noted. "Maybe, a 7 to 8 man rotation is better than playing 10 to 11 guys in a game. They could surprise in the Asian championships. Against our team, they went up and down in the fourth quarter and ate up our lead. They know how to play a fast pace against bigger opponents. I like (Dondon) Hontiveros–he’s a great shooter. Every shot he takes looks like it’s going in. And Jimmy (Alapag) is a solid point guard who’s perfect for the team and Willie (Miller) is a big-time scorer."

Trakh said he always welcomes the chance to visit here. "I love the Philippines," he went on. "I’ve got a great relationship with the Talk "N’ Text guys like Frankie (Lim), Joel (Banal) and Ariel (Vanguardia)."