AT 43 years old Asi Taulava has nothing more to prove in his decorated career but blessings continued to pile up on the 6-foot-9 Filipino-Tongan, who is now the latest endorser of world-renowned sports brand Under Armour (UA).
The 2003 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) graced the opening of the new brand house of the fastest-growing sports and fitness apparel line in TriNoma on Saturday, conducting a basketball clinic with fellow pro player Jervy Cruz to aspiring kids who wanted to follow their footprints to the PBA.
“It’s really an honor to be selected as the brand ambassador for UA. I just feel blessed. At my age, they gave me this opportunity to represent the brand,” said Taulava, also a 14-time All-Star.
The fifth branch in the country gave their customers a glimpse of the top-of-the line shoes of Stephen Curry, the Curry 2.5, and the UA Charged Bandit.
Designed for the prolific point guard’s highly touted basketball prowess, the Curry 2.5 provides durable support and structure, as well as an external shank and heel counter that delivers locked-in stability to maintain balance.
Taulava admitted that he was left in awe with the way the two-time National Basketball Association MVP elevated his game.
“I just wished I can shoot like him. He’s great,” Taulava said. “It makes me feel young when I represent UA. It feels good to wear the brand as an ambassador.”
Taulava averaged career-highs 23.4 points and 13.6 rebounds in the 2003 season, as he propelled Talk ’N Text to the All-Filipino Conference title.
Aside from Curry, some of the big-time endorsers of UA include American football star Tom Brady, boxer Saul Alvarez, golfer Jordan Spieth and actor Dwayne Johnson.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos