It’s been two years since Mac Tallo was in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Admittedly, the 27-year-old shared that he made some bad decisions that led him not working out with Bacolod and Manila in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
But everyone deserves a second chance, right? And with an opportunity to be a pro again with Manila Chooks, the 6-foot sniper out of Cebu City won’t waste that opportunity.
“Ang dami kong na-realize during pandemic. Mas vinavalue ko dapat ‘yung kung anong meron ako sa MPBL. Gusto ko mag-practice ng two months pa lang ‘yung pandemic, so nagpakundisyon lang ako, getting ready kung ano man’ yung dadating na opportunity sa akin,” he shared during an episode of Crossover Inside the Chooks-to-Go MPBL bubble.
“‘Yun nga, dumating na ‘yung Chooks nung December.”
When the original Manila Chooks quartet of Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Santi Santillan opted to return to the 5v5 game, Manila Chooks head trainer Aldin Ayo looked for pieces that would compose his pro team.
Ayo’s strength and conditioning coach Joph Cleopas had been working out with Tallo then. That’s when the decorated mentor decided to give Tallo a look.
“Hirap kasi first time ko maglaro sa 3×3 na 10 minutes. Nae-excite ako, at the same time nahihirapan ako kasi walang pahingahan eh. Kahit sabihin mong 10 minutes lang, hindi ka pwedeng magpahinga kasi dire-diretso, tig-isang timeout lang. Kaya naghirap ako nung transition ko from 5v5 sa 3×3,” recalled Tallo.
“Talagang nagpursige ako to lose weight dahil Pilipinas na ang nasa harap ng jersey mo.”
Tallo was named as one of the four players who will play for Manila Chooks in the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters, which begins on Friday. He will be joined by Chico Lanete, Zachy Huang, and Dennis Santos.
Being under Ayo and Lanete, Tallo vows to delve away from the bad habits that hounded his young career so far. Moreover, he wants to make the company that gave him a new lease on life proud.
“In terms of relationship kay coach, ilang months lang kaming magkasama, pero parang feel ko two years na sa sobrang bond namin as a team,” said Tallo.
“I hope marami pa akong matutunan kayla Coach Aldin at Kuya Chico.”
