Tallo proves a point, lifts team Bacolod

A few months removed from the PBA, Mark Tallo quickly stamped his class in the MPBL while playing for his new team Bacolod-Master Sardines.

On his debut game, the second generation cager came up with an explosive debut as he finished with 31 points, six steals and six assists while powering his new squad to an 87-83 triumph over fellow expansion squad Mindoro Tamaraws in the MPBL Lakan Season at the San Andres Gym in Manila.

“Medyo disappointed ako sa sarili ko kasi nu’ng nag-PBA ako, medyo tumaba ako, hindi ako naging masyadong disiplinado, kaya dito sa MPBL, may gusto akong i-prove dahil gusto ko ulit makabalik sa PBA,” Tallo said.

Tallo wasted no time.

The son of former PBA player Mark Anthony Tallo knocked in 14 second quarter points, then pumped in 10 in the pivotal fourth, including his team’s last six points. His jumper in the last 38 seconds proved to be the dagger as he towed Bacolod to the win column.

Manila whipped Nueva Ecija, 96-86, in the other game as the Frontrow-backed Stars used their firepower to the hilt in dealing their rivals a sound beating.

Carlo Lastimosa, one of the few ex-pros picked up in the off season, presided on the Stars’ offense as he pumped in 20 points while Chris Bitoon added 18 markers. 

A big revelation for Manila was Jollo Go, who added 14 while Aris Dionisio, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, had another double-double performance of 10 points and 10 rebounds.      

The MPBL returns to the Valenzuela Astrodome on Wednesday with another triple header.

Host team Valenzuela takes on powerhouse Bataan in the main game at 8:30 p.m. right before the match between two other title contenders—Basilan and Pampanga—which collide at 6:30 p.m. 

In the curtain raiser, struggling team Caloocan takes on Pasig at 4 p.m.