The fact that TNT KaTropa’s Cebuano guard Macmac Tallo has been injured so early in his career is not doing him any favors.
This was the blunt assessment of his head coach, Nash Racela, who advised that the 6-foot-1 guard prioritize his health first to help him find his way in the PBA better.
Tallo had been getting spot minutes behind star guard Jayson Castro in the first two games of the Philippine Cup before an undisclosed ailment sidelined him the rest of the way.
Nevertheless, Racela remarked that he remains hopeful in the potential that the two-time former Cesafi MVP has.
“We drafted Mac because we saw a lot of potential in him as a combo guard,” said Racela in the aftermath of the KaTropa’s stunning move to acquire scoring dynamo and PBA superstar Terrence Romeo.
And while the move definitely hands TNT another potent weapon to add to their already dynamic backcourt led by Castro, Romeo’s arrival has left Tallo potentially out of minutes and out of a precious opportunity to prove himself in the pro league.
“He continues to be a project for us, but not being healthy early in his career is not helping in his development as a player,” Racela said.
Romeo’s arrival draws an eerie parallel to Tallo’s career with the La Salle Green Archers. After moving from Ateneo to the Taft-based school, Tallo was heralded to be La Salle’s next great guard.
However, in came another blue-chip prospect in Kib Montalbo, who was recruited from Bacolod to bolster La Salle’s backcourt. Whether Montalbo’s arrival resulted in Tallo transferring back to his hometown of Cebu, where he played for Southwestern University-Phinma and led them to two Cesafi titles, remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, Racela urged Tallo to get back his physical form first and go from there.
“I guess top priority should be his recovery and making sure he is physically fit to compete. This is regardless of whether he is in the lineup or not. Only then can he move forward and see where he stands in the team,” Racela added.