TOUGH TIME

Cebuano cagers striving to make Sinag PH team

The tryouts for spots on the Sinag Pilipinas squad that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games and Southeast Asian Basketball Association basketball tournaments commenced last Monday evening.

And in the middle of it all were two Cebuanos – Southwestern University (SWU) point guards Mark Jayven Tallo and Jasper Parker.

According to Tallo, the two-time reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) MVP, the competition for the point guard position is a stiff one eight players vying for the coveted spot.

“Lisud kaayo ang competition. Puro naay pangalan ang mga naa didto,” said Tallo, who admitted getting intimidated by the level of competition at the four-day tryout. (The competition is very tough. All of those who are there are noted players.)

There to compete for the point guard spot are University of the East star Roy Sumang, Ateneo aces Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena and Cebuano Koko Pingoy, and Gilas Cadet standout Garvo Lanete. San Beda’s star guard Baser Amer did not participate during the first day but is expected to make the next three.

Contrary to earlier reports, only Parker and Tallo were officially invited to participate in the tryouts by way of an official correspondence from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Asked to assess his performance during the first day, Tallo gave himself a six out of 10.

“I talked to assistant coach Josh Reyes on what I can improve on and he told me to improve on my timing on offense and my defense. Those are two things that I will really strive to work on these next few days,” Tallo said.

The team is being coached by American Tab Baldwin.

The pool is 25-players deep and is composed of some of the biggest names in amateur basketball today including PBA D-League MVP Bobby Ray Parks, La Salle’s Jeron Teng and Arnold Van Opstal and UAAP champion Troy Rosario.