Ageless Taulava officially back in the PBA

Games today

Araneta Coliseum

4:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Globalport

6:30 p.m.- San Mig vs. Barangay Ginebra

Asi Taulava is officially back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The league has approved a four-player deal that saw Taulava move from the Meralco Bolts to the Air21 Express.

The Express got Taulava and Mark Borboran while shipping veteran playmaker Mike Cortez and big man James Sena to the Bolts.

The 40-year-old, six-foot-nine Taulava is coming off a stint with the San Miguel Beermen which he helped win a title in the Asian Basketball League (ABL).

Although he was away from the PBA, the Bolts owned Taulava’s rights. He will make his debut with the Express on Friday against his former team Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.

Meanwhile, the San Mig Coffee Mixers try to overcome a depleted lineup when they play sister-team Barangay Ginebra Kings at 6:30 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.

San Mig will be playing without starters Marc Pingris and Joe Devance, who were suspended for their involvement in last Wednesday’s fracas between the Coffee Mixers and Globalport Batang Pier.

Pingris was suspended for two games and fined P60,000. Devance was meted a one-game suspension and P30,000 fine.

San Mig and Ginebra are currently at the bottom of the standings with identical 2-3 (win-loss) cards.

The first game will have the Barako Bull Energy Colas going up against Globalport Batang Pier. The latter will miss the services of Kelly Nabong, who came to blows with Pingris in that ugly incident.

Nabong was also suspended for two games and fined P60,000.

Barako Bull is tied with the Alaska Aces for the third and fourth spots with similar 3-2 records.

Globalport totes a 2-3 mark.