You can’t talk about PBA frontcourt legends without mentioning Asi Taulava and Eric Menk. The Rock and The Major Pain have been compared so often that it’s practically a basketball cliché, but clichés exist for a reason. From their PBL days, where Menk ruled Tanduay and Taulava dominated for Blu Detergent, to their storied PBA careers, they were always in each other’s orbit.
Both had MVP awards, were cornerstones of their respective teams, and left lasting legacies in the league.
But who was the more dominant player?
Let’s break it down.
ERIC "MAJOR PAIN" MENK
With four PBA championships and three Finals MVPs, Menk knew how to show up when it mattered most. Menk lets his muscles do the talking, and this translates into championships. Menk isn't flashy, but the box scores will tell you otherwise. The dude has one of the quietest 20 points and 10 rebounds in the history of the league. And while his career averages of 11.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game don’t exactly scream “dominance,” it’s his impact during his peak that made him special. When he was healthy, Menk was a beast. That 2005 MVP season? Legendary. He also snagged three Best Player of the Conference awards and had multiple Mythical Team selections.
But, let’s be honest: injuries were a major roadblock. By the time Menk hit his mid-30s, he was no longer the unstoppable force we once knew. I know most NBA players are a shell of their former selves when they reach their mid-30s, but it's different in the league where the rookies are around the 23-to-27 age range. Menk spent his later years bouncing between teams, which is a far cry from his peak when he was the face of a championship dynasty.
ASI "THE ROCK" TAULAVA
Taulava, on the other hand, is a walking double-double machine. Over 625 games, he averaged 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2 assists per contest. The man practically lived in the paint, bullying opponents with his 6’10" frame. And unlike Menk, Asi didn’t just peak—he stayed relevant. For two decades. The Rock is the only guy in PBA history to average a double-double for 11 straight seasons. Let that sink in.
Oh, and let’s not forget: Taulava’s resume also includes an MVP award, 17 All-Star appearances, and a Finals MVP trophy. While the only reason to get iffy with Taulava's all-time ranking would be his one PBA championship, he made up for it with longevity. While Menk was slowing down in his 30s, Taulava was still putting up solid numbers well into his 40s—and yes, he played until 50.
BIG MOMENTS VERSUS BEST CAREERS
When it came to big moments, Menk delivered. Four PBA championships? Check. Three Finals MVPs? Double-check. When the stakes were high, Menk didn’t just show up—he went berserk! He was the centerpiece of Ginebra’s success during their mid-2000s run, where he anchored the paint with skill and a combo of brute strength and finesse. That 2004-05 stretch was the best of his career because he won an MVP, as well as two championships, two Finals MVPs, and a BPC.
But here’s the flip side: one can argue that Menk's 2004-05 is just like Taulava's 2003 PBA season. Taulava may have had "a" best season, but he had a bunch of significant seasons while Menk could have had more if not for a lot of lower body issues. By the late 2000s, his body started breaking down, and his numbers nosedived. And the thing about Menk is that he came to the PBA at age 25, a year younger than Asi, but by the time he reached 35, his numbers weren't just cutting it.
And in a time when Kerby Raymundo and Roger Yap were let go by Purefoods, as well as Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso were slowly getting phased out in San Miguel, the SMC was bound to replace their injury-ridden MVP.
Even in international play, Menk’s contributions were limited—he was part of a Jones Cup bronze-medal-winning team, but that’s about it because of injuries.
Now, let’s talk about Taulava. The guy didn’t just have moments; he had eras. His PBA championship in 2003 and Finals MVP award were defining achievements, but Asi’s impact went far beyond those accolades. He was a cornerstone for Talk ‘N Text and later reinvented himself to stay relevant well into his 40s.
Taulava positioned himself as the willing savior of down-and-out squads. He won Mythical Team citations with Talk N Text, Coca-Cola, Air21, and NLEX. And while his numbers dipped in Meralco, this was more of a coaching thing than a performance thing despite already being 38 when he chose to move to the ABL.
And while Menk had a short international résumé, Taulava was a constant for Team Pilipinas. He donned the national colors multiple times, including in the FIBA Asia Championship, where he helped the team bag a silver medal in 2015. Add to that a silver and two bronze medals in the Jones Cup, and you’ve got a player who made a significant mark on both the local and international stage.
Taulava also made history by becoming the first player to win both PBA and ABL MVP awards. While Menk was a role player in the ABL, Asi was still the guy, leading his team to an ABL championship while picking up the league MVP in 2013. Oh, and let’s not forget: Asi maintained a double-double average for 11 straight PBA seasons. That’s not just consistency—that’s dominance.
VERDICT: ASI TAULAVA WINS
This one’s tough, with the slimmest of margins. Menk had the edge in championships, Finals MVPs, and peak dominance. But Taulava’s consistency, longevity, and ability to produce across multiple eras give him a slight edge.
Menk burned brightly.
But Asi burned long.
So, if I’m building a team for one season, maybe I’m picking Menk. But for a career? I’m taking The Rock every time. Sorry, Major Pain—this round goes to Asi.