Asi Taulava

Asi Taulava
	Asi with the Coca-Cola Tigers in 2010
Personal information
Born	March 2, 1973; Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
Nationality	Filipino / Tongan
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
College	BYU–Hawaii
PBA draft	1998: Direct Hire
	Selected by the Mobiline Phone Pals
Playing career	1997–2023
Position	Center
Career history
1997–1999	Blu Detergent Kings
1999–2007	Mobiline Phone Pals / Talk 'N Text Phone Pals
2007–2010	Coca–Cola Tigers
2010–2012	Meralco Bolts
2012–2013	San Miguel Beermen (ABL)
2013–2014	Air21 Express
2014–2023	NLEX Road Warriors
Career highlights and awards
	PBA champion (2003 All-Filipino); PBA Finals MVP (2003 All-Filipino); PBA Most Valuable Player (2003); 17× PBA All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003–2012, 2015–2019); 2× PBA All-Star Game MVP (2004, 2006); 4× PBA Mythical First Team (2003, 2008, 2009, 2014); 4× PBA Mythical Second Team (2002, 2010, 2015, 2016); PBA Best Player of the Conference (2003 All-Filipino); 3× PBA All-Defensive Team (2003, 2008, 2009); PBA Comeback Player of the Year (2014); 2× PBA scoring champion (2002, 2003); PBA's 40 Greatest Players; ABL Most Valuable Player (2013); No. 88 retired by the NLEX Road Warriors;
Men's basketball
Representing Philippines
FIBA Asia Championship
William Jones Cup

Pauliasi Taulava (born March 2, 1973) is a Tongan-born Filipino former professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Standing 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) tall and weighing 245 pounds (111 kg), Taulava is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most dominant Filipino basketball players to ever play the center position in the PBA. Throughout his 24-year career in the league, Taulava has used his size and strength to overpower opponents for points and rebounds. He is also a many-time member of the Philippine national team in international competitions.

Following his career in the PBL, Taulava entered the PBA in 1999, when he was directly hired by the Mobiline Phone Pals. With his performance, he quickly emerged as one of the top centers in the league, even winning the 2003 MVP award. After eight years with Talk N' Text, he was traded to the Coca-Cola Tigers where he played until 2010. He was later traded to the Meralco Bolts, leading the team for two seasons with his presence and style. In 2012, Taulava decided to leave the PBA to play for the San Miguel Beermen in the ABL. After a brief stint in the league, he returned to the PBA in 2013, where he signed for the Air21 Express.

Taulava's individual accolades include the 2003 MVP award, two All-Star Game MVP awards and the 2013 ABL MVP award.

However, Taulava is also one of the most controversial figures in Philippine basketball due to his numerous issues about his citizenship since he arrived in the local basketball scene in 1997.

He is also known for his dyed hair, although he has also shaved his head bald numerous times in the past. His moniker is "The Rock".

Taulava is also a brand ambassador of the sports clothing brand Under Armour Philippines.

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