More Filipino than many

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has had very nice words for Asi Taulava after the Gilas Pilipinas’ win over Lebanon in the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup basketball championship in China.

It did not matter that Taulava, who is easily recognizable with his burly figure and blonde hair, has been seeing sparse action for the Philippine team that has captured the hearts and minds of the about 100 million Filipinos with their gutsy and selfless plays.

      
“I’m just as impressed with Asi Taulava who accepted the call even if he knew he wouldn’t get heavy minutes as Andray Blatche’s backup. He’s very active on the bench cheering his teammates, giving them advice and encouragement,” said Salud.

     
“And when he’s on the floor, he’s giving it his 100 percent,” added the PBA commish.

      
If only Salud had seen Taulava years back, dejected in a corner of the Outback Steakhouse in Quezon City while waiting for a small group of mediamen who listened to his case at the height of the campaign of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to deport him on account of his questioned citizenship.

      
Indeed past is past, but this is to remind everyone how Taulava, who may now have seen better days playing basketball, is more Filipino than the many Filipinos who looked down on him and who tried to deprive him of his right to feed his family by playing basketball in his homeland, the Philippines.

Image by: judebgallery.wordpress.com