Cebu’s basketball prodigy hops from Ateneo to La Salle

A rivalry that has been fierce and vicious all through the years is about to become even feistier. This after Cebuano basketball prodigy, Mark Jayven Tallo announced that he has transferred from Ateneo to the Blue Eagles’ most hated rivals, the La Salle Green Archers.

This was made known by the father of the former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) MVP, ex-pro Mark Tallo, in an interview yesterday while the latter was in Manila to oversee his son’s transfer from the blue to the green machine.

It can be recalled that Tallo was part of the Blue Eagles’ recruiting class, one that featured two Cebuanos in 7-foot center Greg Slaughter, formerly of the University of the Visayas and Tallo, formerly of the Cebu Institute of Technology Wildkittens and Cebu Eastern College Dragons. In addition, Ateneo also snagged UAAP juniors MVP, the phenomenal Kiefer Ravena.

However, in a shocking turn of events, Tallo left the squad after their quarterfinal match against Mapua in the Fil-Oil Flying V Preseason Tournament, citing a fallout with Ateneo’s head coach Norman Black. Now, he finds himself donning the green jersey, choosing La Salle over a host of other suitors, which included San Beda, Adamson and Far Eastern University.

“Mas nigawas jud akong kumpiyansa diri sa La Salle. Their style is more run and gun which fits perfectly to my style of play,” said the younger Tallo.

The elder Tallo, believes that his son made the right decision and even added that he should have been at La Salle the first time around.

“This is the best place for him. The system of coach Dindo (Pumaren) fits his style of play so I believe he will flourish here as a basketball player. Also, as a parent, I know that basketball will not be forever so I trust that if ever he will not become a better basketball player here, at least he will have a good education,” said Tallo.

He also clarified earlier reports that his son was impatient for playing time during his brief stint at the Blue Eagles’ camp. “If si Mac-Mac impatient, dili unta siya muadto ug skwelahan na mag-team B usa siya.
Daghan gud schools na nag-recruit niya that promised him immediate playing time. But he chose wisely and he chose La Salle,” added Tallo.

La Salle head coach Dindo “The Bullet” Pumaren was ecstatic with his new recruit who he hopes will lead the new generation of Green Archers.

“We know that many schools tried to recruit (Mark) Tallo so we feel lucky that he decided to go to La Salle. He’s a very talented kid and very patient. Even if he has to sit out for a year, he is willing to learn,” said Pumaren.