Asi shipped to Tigers for Peek, top pick

Little did Asi Taulava know that the game against Red Bull last Sunday was his last for Talk n Text.

In a move that caught people by surprise, Talk n Text traded the 6-foot-9 Taulava to Coca-Cola in exchange for fellow giant Ali Peek and a first-round draft pick for next year.

The trade was consummated Monday evening between officials of the two teams, and Taulava was informed later on by Talk n Text team manager Frankie Lim.

“I called him and said, ‘Asi, we’ve decided to trade you. We think this is best for you and the franchise.’ And his answer was ‘It’s okay. Don’t worry boss. It’s okay,” said Lim.

Taulava played for eight seasons with Talk n Text, his first team in the PBA. He was taken in as a Fil-foreign player in 1999 and was briefly deported until he made a comeback in 2001.

Taulava helped Talk n Text win the 2003 All-Filipino crown, and in 2005 was suspended by the PBA for his citizenship woes. He was finally given the green light the following year.

Ricky Vargas, Talk n Text representative to the PBA board, said it was a “difficult” decision on their part, letting go of a player whose name has been synonymous to the team.

“Asi was always TnT but we had to do it for a bigger purpose. I will personally miss Asi and he will always be a friend,” added Vargas of the former member of the Philippine team.

Last Saturday, Taulava was at the birthday party of teammate Patrick Fran’s son. Most of the Talk n Text players were around, too, and they all had no inkling of the forthcoming trade.

“It turned out to be a farewell party for Asi because we were all there at the party,” said Lim.

Taulava played his last game for Talk n Text last Sunday, but failed to carry the team past Red Bull. He went out with a bang, scoring 11 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.

Tonight, at the Araneta Coliseum, Taulava will wear his new uniform as Coca-Cola, in the cellar with a 1-7 record, takes on Alaska in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup.

Taulava’s entry is expected to inject new life on the Tigers.

“It’s our problem – the center position. Although some people are saying that Asi is already slow and old, he can still be a big help for us,” said Coca-Cola team manager JB Baylon.

Being traded is nothing new for Peek, the wide-bodied enforcer inside the paint. He barged into the PBA in 1998 playing for Pop Cola, was traded to Alaska and shipped to Coca-Cola.