Yung limang teams na yun walang kumuha sa akin. Mac Tallo was one of the most talented high school prospects in Filipino basketball history. That was how hyped-up his name was as an up-and-coming college star. But Mac had to earn every drop of fame and popularity that came his way.
When he was still starting out as a high school prospect, he admitted that he was fortunate that the Cebu Institute of Technology, the sixth school he tried out for, gave him an opportunity to showcase his skills. That was in Then unang year ko sa kanila, nadala ko yung team sa Semifinals.
That was the first time in their school history. Then the following year, doon na kami nag-champion. It started years and years before that. Growing up, he always had the guidance of his father right from the very start. Bata pa ako noon kaya lahat ng decisions niya, kailangan ko sundin. Malaking pressure kasi kailangan ko gawin lahat. Mas experienced siya kaya sumusunod lang ako. Yung mga advice ng dad ko ang nagiging motivation ko rin sa paglalaro ng basketball.
Their strategy was for Mac to dominate his competition in Cebu so that his name will be made known in all four corners of the country. That plan worked. He went back home to Cebu soon after. Ang mentality ko noon ay kahit sinong kalaban ko sa Cebu, alam kong kaya ko. Kaya noong pagdating ko sa Manila, panibagong system na at panibagong ambiance. Hindi na pwede yung style ko na bara-bara lang kaya natinag yung kumpiyansa ko.
Kaya ngayon gusto ko sana na yung mga players from Cebu, magsimula na sila sa Manila habang maaga pa. Dito sa Manila, sobrang daming liga. Magiging mas fit na sayo yung gameplay at malalaman mo na yung style ng coaches. Magiging comfort zone mo kaagad. Mac had to endure a road of many ups and downs, but he eventually achieved his dream of playing in the PBA. Mac revealed that Coach Yeng is very lenient in practice, but players should not mistake that for a weakness.
