MANILA – Cebuano guard Mark Jayven Tallo is set for homecoming after he agreed to a deal with the Bacolod Master Sardines ahead of the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Mumbaki Cup.
Tallo, a former De La Salle University Green Archers guard in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, started his MPBL career with Bacolod before he transferred midway the Lakan Cup season due to misunderstanding with head coach Vic Ycasiano.
He, however, did not think twice returning to his first MPBL team after he was released by the Manila-Frontrow Stars at the end of the last season.
“Noong ni-release ako ng Manila after this season, sabi naman nila always welcome ako sa Bacolod. That’s why I decided na babalik ako sa home team ko,” said the 26-year-old Tallo.
Tallo added: “I actually called coach Vic. I apologized and masaya naman siya na okay na ‘yung naging misunderstanding namin dati.”.
In the MPBL Lakan Cup, the Cebuano was Bacolod’s leader with norms of 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists. After he transferred to the Stars, Tallo’s ballgame dwindled down and he just averaged 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
Now heading to MPBL’s Mumbaki Cup, Tallo will try to rekindle the fire he had in his first tour with the Bacolod team.
“Coach pointed me as a leader of Bacolod. Well, ready naman ako to be a leader, and I’m trying to get conditioned para malaki maitulong ko sa team defensively at lalo na sa offense,” he said.
According to the Cebuano, his expectations are high for the Bacolod squad heading into the new season. The team finished in the 11th place during its debut season with an 11-19 win-loss record in the Southern Division.
“These guys are athletic and coachable. Fresh from college pero mas malaki at mas malakas ito kaysa noong last year. This year is gonna be different,” Tallo said./PN
