MANILA, Philippines – Mac Tallo had an impressive debut for the NLEX Road Warriors for someone who just returned to basketball after a 6-month hiatus.

The 25-year-old finished with 11 points on a 5-of-11 shooting to go with 3 assists, 3 steals and two blocks in nearly 20 minutes in NLEX’s 111-120 loss to the Alaska Aces on Friday, June 15.

But Tallo himself said he is still far from the player he wants to be. 

“Kinakapa ko pa sarili ko. Nakikita ko na kulang pa talaga ako sa kundisyon. Tuloy-tuloy lang sana ‘yung laro ko and learn from my mistakes,” he said.

(I am still adjusting. I can see that I still lack conditioning. I just need to continue playing my own game and learn from my mistakes.)

The former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) Most Valuable Player, picked 10th overall in the 2017 PBA Draft by TNT, had a short-lived stint with the KaTropa.

After seeing action in TNT’s first two games in the Philippine Cup, Tallo did not suit up for the KaTropa again. And after 4 outings of being included in the lineup, he was relagated to unrestricted free agency as he suffered from latent tuberculosis. 

Fortunately, Tallo was picked up by NLEX, TNT’s sister team, with the Road Warriors losing backcourt firepower due to Kevin Alas’ injury and Kiefer Ravena’s suspension. 

“Pina-rest ako two months, naggagamot ako. Pagbalik ko after two months, pinag-practice ako. Wala ako sa kundisyon coming from bed rest, parang ang taba ko,” he said.

(I was told to rest for two months and I was on medication. I returned after two months and I practiced again. I was out of shape coming from bed rest and I got fat.)

“I was 94 kilograms, nag-lose ako ngayon, I’m now 85 kilograms. Gusto ko pa na 80 kilograms ako. Tuloy-tuloy lang sana.”

(I was 94 kilograms and I’m now 85 kilograms. I want to lose more and weigh 80 kilograms. I hope this continues.) 

NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao said they were “lucky” to have acquired the services of Tallo before another team could.

“I’m very happy with the way he played. We were very lucky that nobody picked him up in the free agency. It’s a blessing in disguise for us, you know. He was kind of excited to play. You can see he has potential,” Guiao said.

When asked about who he sees from the Cebuano cog, the firebrand tactician drew comparisons with two of the most flamboyant guards he mentored in nearly 3 decades. 

“Siguro combination ni Jimwell Torion na Cebu style din na may pagka-Willie Miller, sa tingin ko with his body type. He’s a strong point guard who can withstand a physical game.” 

(Probably it’s Jimwell Torion who plays a Cebu style with a little bit of Willie Miller because of his body type. He’s a strong point guard who can withstand a physical game.)

Tallo’s mettle will be put to test when the Road Warriors meet the San Miguel Beermen on June 23 in Pangasinan.

– Rappler.com