One can only wonder where the Coca-Cola Tigers would have been at this stage of the 2009 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup if only lead center Paul Asi Taulava had not missed nine games on account of a foot injury.

With a frenetic pre-season build-up the Tigers were expected to be up there basking in the limelight along with the league-leaders instead of languishing in the cellar for more then two months. But as fate would have it, Taulava suffered a foot injury eight minutes into Coca-Cola’s second game of the season against Barako Bull and was sidelined for nine matches.

The good news is, Taulava’s back and the Tigers aren’t out yet. In fact, they’re starting to growl.

Last Sunday, Taulava displayed his old form and came away with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists as Coca-Cola handed frontrunner Alaska Milk only its second loss in 13 games via a 105-92 rout.

It was the first time that the Tigers scored back-to-back wins in the tournament and that resulted in Coca-Cola moving out of the cellar with a 3-11 record.

“Asi’s winning attitude has positively affected his teammates. His contribution is a given. It is his enthusiasm and leadership that helped us win our last two games,” said Coca-Cola coach Dolreich “Bo” Perasol of his 6-9 behemoth who was named Accel-KFC Player of the Week by the PBA Press Corps for the period December 13 to 20.

Taulava also had a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) aside from two assists and two steals when Coca-Cola defeated Burger King, 106-94 last December 13.