Asi Taulava - International Career

International Career

In 2002, Taulava played for Team Philippines in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, Korea. Taulava showed promise during the said tournament in the center position while also had a hard time on guarding Chinese center Yao Ming. In the end, the Philippines went home without a medal after suffering a harsh defeat in the semifinals against host Korea and lost in the bronze medal match against Kazakhstan.

In 2005, Taulava was added in the Team Pilipinas Training Pool of Chot Reyes. He was part of the country's third-place finish in the William Jones Cup tournament behind Passing Lane Sports of the United States and host Chinese Taipei. Taulava also led Team Pilipinas to the championship of the 5th Brunei Sultan Cup.

In 2006, Taulava participated in the team's 110-102 victory over the Dennis Rodman led American team on May 1.

In 2007, Taulava was once again a national team member in 2007 FIBA Asia Championship in Japan. Despite Taulava's tremendous showing at the center position, the team failed to pass the preliminary round which was considered the "group of death" losing to eventual champion Iran and Jordan and winning only one game against China.

In 2008, he was again named to the RP Training Pool under Coach Yeng Guiao.

In 2010, he played for the Smart Gilas during the Stankovic Cup Asia Tournament helping the team to a 4th place finish.

Along with Kelly Williams, the Filipino-Tongan player was granted the permission to play for the Smart Gilas for the 2010 Asian Games in November. The team eventually reached the 6th place in the tournament. In January 2011, Taulava declared his availability for Smart Gilas to represent the country at the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, which will be held in Wuhan, China. The 2003 MVP also said: "I’ll make all the necessary sacrifice for Team Pilipinas and our country. Let’s all unite for flag and country and make 2011 a year for Philippine basketball." In August 2011, Taulava joined the Smart Gilas Team for the 2011 William Jones Cup; in the preliminary round of the tournament, the Philippine team compiled a promising 5-2 record, before being eliminated in the semifinals by Iran. On August 9, 2011, during a game against Malaysia, Taulava got involved in an altercation with Yoong Jing Kwaan. The episode happened in the third quarter of the match; with less than 20 seconds remaining in the period, Taulava suddenly went down on the floor in pain after Yoong Jing Kwaan grabbed and squeezed his private parts. The Fil-Tongan then stood up, chased the Malaysian player and hit him twice in the head. The two were later tossed out with 7.4 seconds left in the period. Smart Gilas eventually won, 86-68. Taulava would later apologize for his actions.

In 2011, Taulava retired from international competitions after the stint at the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. Taulava has been a member of the Philippines national basketball team since 2002.