It’s been half a year since Mark Tallo last played in an organized basketball game, so when the Cebuano got his chance to break his spell he took it by the throat and ran with it.
Tallo showed off for NLEX putting up 11 points, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in the Road Warriors’ 120-111 loss to Alaska in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
For the offensive-minded Cebuano, playing in his first game after six months wasn’t just breaking off a slump but overcoming a sickness that left him out of playing shape.
Tallo got diagnosed with latent tuberculosis when he was still part of TNT and it was in this time that he blew up to 94 kilograms, way too heavy for his 6-foot frame.
“I got into a two-month long bed rest while taking medication, so after that I went to practice and I was easily out of shape,” said Tallo in Filipino.
Tallo, who arrived at NLEX off the free agency market, said he had lost 11 kg and is at “a hundred percent” physically.
As for his confidence level, he can’t be so sure.
“We will play San Miguel next so I can’t say if my confidence is that high right now,” said Tallo. “But I think it’s better than before, my jitters are gone, the nervousness isn’t there. I hope this continues.”