At the tender age of 37, Asi Taulava is starting with a brand-new team. The 6’9” center has accomplished everything one could ever aspire for in his PBA career: championships, playing for the Philippine team, a PBA MVP award, even a PBA All-Star Game MVP award. So what else does he wants?

“A medal for the country in the Asian Games,” is Taulava’s quick reply. “I think the Philippines deserves a medal in basketball in the Asian Games, any kind of medal, bronze, silver or gold. That’s something I want to accomplish before I retire.”

The last Philippine team to medal in the Asian Games was the one coached by Alaska mentor Tim Cone in 1998. Since then, the country has often come tantalizingly close, but has never been on the medal platforms.

Taulava was still playing with Powerade (formerly Coca-Cola) when he asked Smart-Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman if he could work out with the national team to get back in shape. He was soon called to reinforce the team given the shortage of frontcourt players. Now, with Marcus Douthit’s naturalization hitting a snag, Asi will once again bear the brunt of banging with the bigger centers of Asia once again.

“It’s being professional. I’m doing a job, and I’m not here to hang out,” replies the jovial Fil-Tongan, turning serious. “I learn something new everyday. I practice with Meralco and coach Ryan is a great coach and he teaches me something every day. I practice with Smart-Gilas and coach Rajko knows so many things about basketball that I didn’t know. I feel like my eyes are finally wide open.”

Though working out and playing with two teams would be taxing for any other player, you’d spot him doing extra drills, running baseline to baseline after practice, and striving to overcome his career-long frustration with free throws (“I’m working on that,” he laughs). Having seen it all, he still feels that his game is evolving.

“Before, I’d try to just use force and my size to score,” he recalls.

“Now, I’m learning more how to play a team game, use other skills to make it easy for myself and get the higher percentage. Now I don’t have to take 20 to 30 shots a game. And these younger guys run around a lot. I just tell the ‘pray you don’t get tired, ‘cause come the fourth quarter, I gotcha.’”

Asi also marvels at the maturity, athleticism and skill of today’s players.

“Rabeh (Al-Hussaini) is a great talent, he’s got a great jump shot. He’s going to be something. When I talk to Chris Tiu, I sometimes feel like we’re the same age. Or maybe I’m just stupi*d,” Taulava laughs.

“And the Gilas players have been together for two years. They have the most experience among all the national teams I’ve been part of. And they know the amateur game. That’s why it used to hurt us before when it was all pros playing on the Philippine team. I really think this team can accomplish a lot.”

This is the first time that Taulava has been part of a team that is a work in progress, and the first time that he is paired with another dominant center in Marlou Aquino. Although even the Bolts coaching staff believes they should take it a day at a time, Asi has no doubts his team is already a contender now.

“I know the coaching staff wants to be modest, but I think we have a really strong team. Marlou keeps pushing me in practice. We push each other. I think Meralco can go all the way to the semifinals, even the finals.”