Thank you Chot

#ThankYouChot
(Photo lifted from Twitter)

I was never a fan of Vincent "Chot" Reyes.

Personally, he's just not a guy I think I could hang with-- based on his "TV personality." He is fashionable at a fault, back when he was still coaching in the PBA en route to a 5x PBA Coach of the Year award (that he reminds every person who visits his Twitter page). To me, his loud shirts took away from the game. Not that he is not entitled to wear his bright, colorful, fashionista ensemble to the SMART Araneta Coliseum or MOA Arena or wherever, but it came off as a bit of a distraction really.

Then there's his nonchalant attitude. Maybe it's because I was brought up by a rival school. There's just something about the way he talks I guess.

Is he misunderstood? Probably. Most likely.

Team Ageless

When Asi Taulava first went to the ASEAN Basketball League in what many thought would be his "swan song" after two unimpressive seasons in the PBA with the Meralco Bolts, it was met with nary a whimper. There he was, a former PBA Most Valuable Player, probably looking for one last paycheck and maybe to cash in on his name/brand.

There's nothing wrong or shameful about it, business is business. Some guys are able to quit when they are ahead, others, keep on pushing until either their minds or bodies break. At the end of the day, these men (old, injury-riddled or in-denial) are just that, men-- men who need to provide for themselves and their loved ones. What good is looking back in a once illustrious career if you can't enjoy the fruit of your labors all the way to retirement?

So when his handlers coined "Team Ageless," we were part of the many who dismissed it and just said: "best of luck to you Asi, for all the years playing for flag and country and just being an all-around good guy despite your larger-than-life size, thank you."

One ASEAN Basketball League season, championship and Most Valuable Player later, we were all proven wrong.

Asi moves on to ABL

ASI!

Sing no sad songs for the 6"9 Fil-Tonggan who captivated the hearts of many the minute he stepped on a local basketball gym-- dimpled smile, faux blonde hairdo and all. Yes, Asi Taulava will no longer be part of the Meralco Bolts or even the Philippine Basketball Association this season. The self-christened "Rock" has opted to sign with the ASEAN Basketball League's San Miguel Beermen in hopes of bringing the Filipino squad its first title in only its sophomore year.

Was this the right move going forward for Taulava?

Yes. The Beermen play only once a week (as is the schedule of the ABL) as compared to the PBA's grueling schedule. They enjoy cable television coverage which is always hard to argue against (despite the fact that we were made to watch the whole of the ABL Season 3 Finals Game 3 between the Indonesia Warriors and the Beermen in bloody red color setting). It's San Miguel. Plus, Taulava is already 39 years going 40.