Mac Tallo has found his way back to Bacolod Master Sardines, his first team in the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
During the Lakan Season of the Chooks-to-Go-backed league, the 6-foot combo guard started with Bacolod. He then transferred to Manila-Frontrow mid-season after a “misunderstanding” with head coach Vic Ycasiano on his former team.
Photo by Thel Suliva
“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 sa Bacolod,” said the 26-year-old from Cebu, who signed a one year contract.
“I actually called Coach Vic. I apologized and masaya naman siya na okay na ‘yung naging misunderstanding namin dati.”
In the Lakan Season, he was Bacolod’s leader with norms of 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. But with the Stars, his role dwindled down and averaged just 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
Come next season, Tallo will try to rekindle the fire he had in his first tour with Bacolod.
“Coach pointed me as a leader of Bacolod. Well, ready naman ako to be a leader, saka I’m trying to get conditioned para malaki maitulong ko sa team defensively at lalo na sa offense.”
With the Master Sardines-backed squad finishing the Lakan Season at 11th place in the Southern division at just 11-19, the Southwestern University product put the bar way up, targeting a spot in the top five next season.
And his high expectations are based on what he saw in the training they had before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic occurred.
“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.”
Story by Justin Valencia
