I am newbie here, from Cebu. Would like to post about Mark Jayven Tallo, Cebu's pride. 17years old. Jr. NBA MVP 2009, CESAFI MVP. He will play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles Basketball Team Next year.Mark Jayven Tallo

This is his video while doing some practice

Mark Jayven Tallo Video

Our Cebuano pride Mark Tallo from the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Juniors team stands 5'10 and is an amazing ball handler, shooter, and defensive player. Just like Ravena, Tallo will add speed and firepower to the Ateneo Blue Eagles. With Greg Slaughter on the team next year, a dynasty could very well be in the making.

You can watch Tallo do his thing at <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv4AeshknnY&feature=related.

Coach Norman publicly included him in the list of next season's crop. A little unusual (if you ask me) because other programs were alerted. So he must be something ....

It's still "student-athlete" in that order of priority. He has to sweat it out in the classrooms and not just in the basketball courts. My question to you is: how is he academically?

As a student, Tallo is dedicated and studies hard. Similar to Oping Sumalinog, Tallo could only dream of an Ateneo education. Now he's got the opportunity. He's surely 'head and shoulders' above Buenafe when it comes to academics. You keep harping on "student-athlete". Seems like you want "scholar-athletes" and sports teams composed of brainy double-major scholars similar to Chris Tiu. I think you need to lighten up your thinking on this. I certainly don't want to see a team composed of dunces. On the other hand, it's "pie in the sky" to want every team recruit and member to be academically high-performing. That type comes along every so often and is the exception. If the athlete gives his best efforts in academic and sports endeavors, isn't that good enough?

Although Busyon did not mention that he expects scholars as athletes in our team, I agree with Azul Aguila.

First off, one has to give the benefit of the doubt to our athletics department & recruitment team. There is a reason Arvie Bringas did not end up on our side. He said out loud that he wants to play but does not want to study so out he went & ended up, surprise surprise, on the green side. Now his ass is stewing in FEU because our green friends got rid of him due to academics. That elicited a big WOW from me because this is the 1st time I have ever heard from them that a player was removed from the team due to academics. From a school whose players & coach didn't even know what course they were taking (Yeo, Arana, Cardona) to an instituition that upholds academic excellence all of a sudden because they were suspended already? SO what does that say about FEU then?

At any rate we have had many players who had much difficulty keeping their grades up but the important thing is they persevered & got diplomas. Tenorio, Membrere, Rico V. all had tough academic trials. The fact that they did end up with diplomas speaks well of them & the school. The green athletes are all pros now but never even got diplomas.

I too in the past have asked around whether these athletes are being given certain priviledges & were allowed to enroll despite academic deficiencies. What I found out was satisfactory for me - they do get some priviledges BUT acceptance & enrollment are all legit. They are told that they will have to study, attend class, take exams & learn just like everyone else. Some are aided with tutors to help them out, but there is nothing wrong with that. All our team graduates playing in the pros now have diplomas because that is important to Ateneo.

SO yes, I believe Busyon that you do have to lighten up. Ryan Buenafe is said to be having a miserable time now on the team & it shows. One reason why? - because he has to study & he is having a hell of a time keeping up. But that's what it takes to stay on the team & if we lose him because of this then so be it. So trust that the school & the people running it are doing what they need to do. If you have proof to refute everything mentioned then by all means it is your duty to raise the issue to higher authorities. Otherwise let's just play ball....& pass courses.

All the basketball Blue Eagles are scholars. Some in team B are; others are partial. No, I am not hoping that all our players are Chris Tiu "geniuses" ..... just bona fide students who earn their diploma .... just like you and me .... and who therefore are real Ateneans.

So welcome to Mr. Tallo to Loyola Heights.

I quote you "If the athlete gives his best efforts in academic and sports endeavors, isn't that good enough?" That's good enough. Rabeh and Nownow are finishing their degrees. I hope that Slaughter finishes his.

to antonc: "give our officials the benefit of the doubt." Yes, but vigilance is required. They too err. Just one recent example: the MVP mess. The Board made a mistake on this one and it took the courage of another segment of the school to rectify the error in judgement.

"lighten up" ... yes, I chill .... except when it's the last two minutes and the Eagles are trailing. But there is a danger that as the community basks in glory, the fanatics will be tempted to enjoy winning so much that it becomes "winning at all costs." I don't need to cite that example at Taft who became addicted to trophies that they forgot the value of their diploma. Now, as antonc says, they may have re-discovered their principles. I'll have to confirm with the Saint on this.

"what does it say about FEU?" Mismo.

Personally .... during conversations when the topic: "what is your most memorable anecdote about Ateneo basketball?" ... I would invariably mention not the championships .... but a loss. We had never won a championship but the season promised at least a start; the team was winning again. We won a game .... but no one uncovered a fatal flaw. Ateneo had used two foreign players at the same time, just for a few seconds which did not affect the game at all. There was no complaint; the "W" was chalked up in our favor. But we knew and we told the officials and we forfeited the game. That was the Ateneo Lady Eagles a few seasons back. After that, Ateneo chalked up its first championship and even a two-peat.

Gentlemen, if by "lightening up" .... you're saying "enjoy yourself." I am. But if you suggest that I turn a blind eye on possible shortcomings .... and I don't speak up, sorry that's not me.

This is an alternick and I'm comfortable with the privacy that it affords. But suffice it to say that I let my views be heard on these issues .... in person .... to people from the Ateneo .... when I feel that I have a good handle on the facts. In this forum which I find to be respectful, logical and articulate, know me as a character who follows the Muslim adage: "if you see a wrong, do something about it. If you can't, speak out against it. But always, always, fight it in your heart."

Is this kid related to Mark Anthony Tallo, a guard who played in the PABL, then PBA in the late 80s?

Yes sir, they are father & son.

I find it fascinating that this thread purportedly about Mark Anthony Tallo has transformed into a very interesting discussion on "student-athletes".

If you want to speak to somebody in the Ateneo about the issue, the guy who wore 7 over his barong last year and wears 13 this year is the perfect person to start. I can vouch from personal experience that Fr. Dacanay has made it his personal crusade to see as many, if not all, our basketball players graduate.

^^^ Same here. Let's please just talk about what Mark Tallo can bring to the team. Looks like our backcourt will be set for years to come!

Checked out some vids on YouTube. WOW. This kid looks like the real deal. Visions of Mark Tallo and Kiefer Ravena in Loyola blue are already dancing in my head...

I don't know if this is really Mark Tallo practicing with the Blue Eagles, but it says so in the title:

Mark Jayven Tallo's practice with the Blue Eagles - Ateneo

@sax - Saw that vid also. I was more impressed with the Cebu clips. Parang Barroca na mas pogi!

As a source of recruits, Cebu schools in the CESAFI basketball and volleyball league are goldmines of talented student-athletes. I'm sure ADMU recruiters always keep that in mind. The "new" Ateneo de Cebu (formerly Sacred Heart High School) now competes in CESAFI basketball. Ateneo de Cebu has some excellent players who are worth scouting as possible future recruits for ADMU.

hello,

actually, mark jayven is doing well in his studies. right now, he devotes his time studying since he can't play for the CESAFI anymore (since he just transfered from CIT to CEC).

What was the problem that caused Tallo to transfer to Cebu Eastern College?

What was the problem that caused Tallo to transfer to Cebu Eastern College?

Yes, mark jayven tallo is now with "KOKALIONG's" CEC... under a dear friend and ilonggo native, coach JJ...
due to academic purposes and advanced training program in basketball, he went to CEC from CIT...

well, there are lots of speculations why he transfered to CEC. but one things for sure, his dad wanted him to focus more on his studies this year. he is in 4th year high school now.

His dad has the right priorities in that case.

In my college days when I was playing at court 2 of the College Covered Courts (it was raining) I slipped and hit my head on the concrete. That's why ..... alam kong makulit ako. To those who are fed up with my views, eh di ignore.

Anyhow, I came across this recent article (below) about college stars and the pro hoops. Of the 128 players in the UAAP rosters, maybe a handful will make it to the pros. And those who are fortunate enough, not many last .... some stay for just a few years. Without an earned diploma, then what? Again, this article reinforces my belief that the schools owe it to their student-athletes to give these guys a proper education.

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Different directions

by Charlie Cuna, inboundpass.com

BEING A fan of basketball of practically every kind, I frequently watch the games of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), especially when the games become more meaningful in the semifinals and finals. Aside from appreciating the PBA games because of the unique brand of basketball that they showcase, I also like to keep tab on how former college or university players are doing in the pros, particularly whether they achieved the same amount of success as they did while in school, soared to even greater heights, or simply flopped.

What spurred me to write this piece are the recent performances of Lewis Alfred (LA) Tenorio, former San Beda Red Cub, Ateneo Blue Eagle and San Miguel Beerman, and now the driving force behind the championship run of the Alaska Aces. LA was always smaller, thinner, and not as quick as some of the others. But he always played big. For Ateneans, LA achieved legendary status with his patent step-back threes to win games or seal championships. Yet, many did not expect Tenorio to shine brightly in the PBA--there was always a knock or two against him--too slow, too small, lacking leaping ability, not a good passer, etc. In his first season in the league with SMB, despite occasional glimpses of talent (expected from a player drafted at No. 4 in 2006), he was not an impact player and was traded soon thereafter to the Alaska Aces for the more heralded Mike Cortez. The trade was the best thing to happen to Tenorio, as his performance has steadily risen to the point where he is now considered one of the best playmakers in the league. He has been to the gym to help withstand the pounding. He is still a clutch shooter, but now, a floor general who can dictate the tempo of a game. His assist numbers have increased and his fearless drives to the basket are staples on highlight reels. Few can truthfully say they expected him to have this impact in the PBA. What he does, especially when one watches his games live, is amazing.

The DLSU-Ateneo rivalry produced many other current PBA players. Enrico Villanueva was emerging as one of the best big men in the league, until several trades derailed his climb. Richie Alvarez, a two-time UAAP MVP, has had a pedestrian pro career at best, finding it hard to fit in with any of the many teams on which he has been. Cortez made an immediate impact in the pros, but injuries have significantly slowed him down, such that he and Tenorio are heading in opposite directions. Ryan Araña, whose daring drives to the basket are a big part of Rain or Shine’s attack, has definitely exceeded expectations. Joseph Yeo, more heralded than Araña, discovered that his ninja tactics are not quite as easily done against bigger, stronger men. Doug Kramer is nowhere near the muscleman he was in the UAAP. JC Intal, given more playing time this PBA season, is on the rise. Mark Cardona, at times, is the best player in the league--he is another that nobody expected to be this good at the pro level. Larry Fonacier, another ex-Eagle, surprisingly won as ROY and continues to be a steady bench guy for Coach Tim Cone.

The Beda boys have not quite been as effective in the PBA as they were in college. Yousif Aljamal is inconsistent, but sometimes looks like star material for his sorry Barako team. Pong Escobal has had little chance to show his wares. Ogie Menor is an error waiting to happen on drives to the basket who, similar to Yeo, has had trouble among the tall trees of the PBA.

There are some other former college or university MVPs that have fallen on hard times in the PBA. Sunday Salvacion of St Benilde was amazing in college, but is a one-trick pony with Ginebra. But even he did much, much better than his co-Blazer Jay Sagad, who played little in only one season in the league. Kelvin dela Peña of Mapúa has languished on the reserve list, hardly seeing any playing time. The same goes for Ken Bono of Adamson, who has bounced around from team to team rather than used his heft to bounce opposing players around. Jervy Cruz of UST is slowly making the transition to the big leagues, having improved from the start to the end of his rookie year. Gabby Espinas, former PCU Dolphin who won both MVP and ROY in the same year, is steady, but unspectacular.

Then, there are the surprise packages, those former college and university role players who are steady and reliable parts of their PBA teams--former FEU Tamaraws Jeffrei Chan of Rain or Shine and RJ Rizada of Powerade (formerly Coke), whose cool shooting and smart, steady play makes their jobs secure, despite the fact they were not even the main men on their university squad; Jonas Villanueva, also of FEU, who garnered a PBA Finals MVP award but is now lost in a point-guard maze for SMB; Jireh Ibanes of UP, and now also with Rain or Shine, whose bread and butter is defense, but who can hit an open three-pointer and finish on the break; and former PCU Dolphin Nelbert Omolon of the former Sta Lucia team (Meralco is taking over), who made the PBA Mythical 2nd Team in 2008 and scored a career-high 40 points that year, who plays hard the entire 48 minutes.

There are many university or college star players who have made seamless transitions to the PBA. Jason Castro of PCU is so quick that he blurs by opponents and probably gets the most layups for players his height. James Yap of UE is amazing at times, creating shots from everywhere. Arwind Santos of FEU scores in bunches, almost without effort.

But for every LA Tenorio, there is a Denok Miranda, who cannot seem to get his game together.

The path to the PBA is different for each player. Success in college or university leagues does not translate to success in the pros. Much has to do with talent, perseverance and hard work, but most of them already have these, even at an early age. Oftentimes, luck and timing are even more important--being drafted by the right team, declaring for the draft in the right year, even benefiting from the injuries of other players, which could thrust a player into the limelight. And when a player is given the opportunity to shine, what does he do with it? Does he grab it, exhibit strength of character, and produce? Or will he wilt under the pressure and produce an epic fail? What a player does to take advantage of the situation can make or break his career.

LA Tenorio has seized the chance to become a PBA star. We have seen, and we will continue to see, former stars fizzle in short, uneventful pro careers, if they make it at all. But for those who make it big, we can sit back and think about how they started, where they came from, and how, at one time, we watched them play college or university ball, exciting us all. Who will make it big among the current crop of UAAP or NCAA players? We shall see…

What was the problem that caused Tallo to transfer to Cebu Eastern College?
[/quote]
well, there are lots of speculations why he transfered to CEC. but one things for sure, his dad wanted him to focus more on his studies this year. he is in 4th year high school now.
[/quote]

I've received various stories now. He missed a social studies exam at CIT during the CESAFI final or championship games and the teacher flunked him. Teacher also made demeaning comments at the championship game about Mark. Then, the teacher wouldn't give him a removal exam but other students in Mark's situation were allowed to take removal exams. His parents got ticked off and transferred him to CEC.

Another story says there was a player on the CIT team who often bullied on and verbally abused Mark and got away with it.

Still another story says that Mark's parents and Mark are focused on Mark passing the Ateneo entrance tests and doing well in his studies at Ateneo. They felt Cebu Eastern College offers the best academic setting for Mark's senior year in high school, despite Mark not being eligible to play basketball for CEC due to residency rules. However, Mark's able to play for CEC in non-CESAFI sponsored tournaments. He's done that and continues to show his great basketball skills.

Whatever the real story, most basketball aficionados here in Cebu are happy that Mark will have his educational and basketball opportunities at Ateneo.

A friend of mine, a die-hard LaSallite, told me yesterday that he's green with envy that Mark will be wearing Ateneo's Blue and White. He fears that Ateneo, with Slaughter, Ravena, Pessumal, Capacio, Tallo, Porter et al, will have a team that will simply overwhelm the other teams. Great thought. The proof waits in Season 74.

[quote name='busyon1' date='Aug 13 2010, 09:10 AM' post='140832']


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i guess its non of ur business if they cant find a good job or earn a diploma.

Pardon my ignorance, pero sino si Porter?

Apparently Porter is a 3rd year AHS student taking his residency, about 6'4" who will play the power forward in the seniors team because he has the strength of a bull. I feel this is exagerrated but it's a nice thought He'll be on the juniors squad next year.

The word on Tallo is that he's head & shoulders above all his current competition. His separation move isn't a push off, a crossover or a sidestep but a back & forth front fake that has left many opponents in the dust. He drives, he shoots the 3, he has a mid-range game & he's a growing 5'10" pointguard. We all have dreams of a dynasty & it could be possible but that's really hard to do in college ball.

FEU & DLSU have great recruits for the coming seasons too so the next years should be very exciting.

@antonc - Thanks for the info. Ang masasabi ko lang ay - WOW.

Re-posting below my reply in another thread:

mark is considered the best point guard dito sa cebu. at a very young age (15), he played for commercial leagues against ex-pba players like jimwel torion, bruce dacia, etc etc. grabe ka determinado itong bata na to. he understands the game well. kumbaga, ang taas ng basketball IQ nya. when he practiced sa blue eagles last june 19 ata yon (the day after he won the talk n text MVP ng BAYAN), coach norman black sa so amazed sa basketball iq nya. ang expertise nya is his crossover dribble. ask kirk long or any point guard sa blue eagles, alam nila yon (hindi sa pagyayabang ha). he can read defenses and his move is sooooo unpredictable. kaya sana busyon, kung taga ateneo ka talaga, wag ka namang ganyan, porke't taga cebu ba ay bubo nalang sa paningin mo? i respect ur opinion, pero if u can read the topic, di naman para sa KATALINUHAN NG ISANG PLAYER ang nilagay ko. PEACE sa lahat

KRISTOPHER PORTER is from Ateneo de Cebu-Sacred Heart School Jesuit...

KRISTOPHER PORTER is from Ateneo de Cebu-Sacred Heart School-Jesuit...

TheOne, easy lang partner, Busyon didn't say bobo ang mga taga- Cebu. He was just wondering if Tallo can handle the academic requirements of Ateneo students. Thanks for the info on Tallo. Looking forward to seeing him in blue.

The problem with a line-up like this is, ika nga, kulang ng bola. Someone will definitely be sacrificing his game for the team. There are certainly many rumors of players either leaving or being relegated to team B next year. Abangan na lang but in the meantime, season 73 muna tayo....

teka, teka .... saan ko sinabi na bobo ang mga taga-cebu? magbasa ka nga ng mabuti. marami akong kaibigan d'yan, bai. kapag nalaman nila yang paratang mo, baka hindi ka nila pa-inumin ng malamig na beer at pakainin ng sinugba.

kahit taga-saan ka sa luzvimin, kailan kang mag-aral upang maglaro. uaap is a student league. sa ateneo, sa aking pagkakaalam, walang palusot. kaya nga nagkaka-taba si buenafe sa pagaaral. si tallo at sino pa man, maghanda siyang kayanin ang apat na taong paghihirap sa classroom at sa basketball court. kung magaling nga siya tulad ng sinasabi mo, sana nga mag-ateneo siya. pero kailangan siyang mag-aral. yun lang ang pahiwatig ko. PEACE rin.

AHS coaches has done their job to supplement the home grown talents coming from AGS. For the past couple of years, players from Sacred Heart and other Ateneo high schools trained at Moro together with the Blue Eaglet players. The Davao players did not stick around in Katipunan for long but the Sacred Heart boys look very promising. Guard Kiefer Lim is now part of this years undefeated Blue Eaglet team and is part of Jamike Jarin's rotation.

Kris Porter is the other Sacred Heart player now at AHS and is currently doing residency. How good is Porter? With the looming departure of national youth players Kiefer Ravena, Von Pessumal and Paolo Romero, Jarin will reload the AHS team behind the three headed monsters manning the paint in the persons of freshman Jay Javelosa, sophomore Bolek Vitangcol and Kris Porter with another precocious incoming freshman rookie from AGS, the second coming of Kiefer Ravena. By the way, Porter was judged the best defensive player this past summer during the Nike training program.

Last time I saw Mark Tallo personally was during the Junior NBA Finals about two and a half years ago. He was in the same Junior NBA Class as Jay Javelosa, which means they were both no older than 14 then. Tallo didn't seem quite that impressive at that time, still hogged to ball too much, and couldn't move without a bit of hotdogging, putting the ball between his legs or behind his back, and making passes on the fly instead of in the set. His most recent videos suggest he has improved his overall game, especially passing and setting, although he still dominates the ball. Perhaps he does so because his team really doesn't have any other superstar and he is the one expected to deliver every game. I know he will grow as a player under Norman Black. I hope he takes advantage however of the more important and longer term benefit of being a Blue Eagle - getting an Ateneo college diploma.

On a closing note, allow me to say that although he sort of got his father's eyes, I am very happy he seems to have gotten most of his looks from his lovely mother.

Has anyone checked if Mark Tallo has passed the ACET (e.g. with Fr. Nemy)? So far, all we know is both Kiefer and Von passed the ACET. No news on Kevin Ferrer too (although he took his on the same date).

The answer can be found in Gameface under the thread Ateneo recruitment.

Kulas: Let's just say Kev didn't quite impress... Go to the media forum of www.philippinebasketball.ph if you want further discussion on the matter.

Ok sige thanks. Ang sabi lang sa gameface eh, sina Agent X44 at Dyords/Danny J ang pumasa.

Going back to Mark Tallo, this kid has been variously described as 5'10" all the way to 6-flat. I think he is generously listed at 5'10" in his sneakers if that, being no more than an inch taller than me at the shoulder, and I stand exactly 5'8". Hopefully we will see him in person by the summer.

so sad that he didn't stick it out with us. maybe the kid himself didn't mind, but the stage- or rather court-father apparently didn't like seeing his son being a bench warmer. someone should've impressed on the father that Coach has his system. imagine, had he been patient, next year would've seen him take to the court in place of a whole bunch of guards who are graduating -- kirk, bacon, zags (is eman's time also up? he missed a year of play in '08, when we won the first in the string of the 4-peat, i mean, 3-peat hehehe).

i think the son was willing to wait. pero mahirap gawin kung lagi kang kinukulit ng tatay. they mean well, really. but as my college lecture professor in economics 11, prof. monsod, always liked to say: the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

It is very difficult to see yourself (or your son) having to play behind a slew of talent. Reminds me of Mike Gamboa who decided to go to UP rather than play behind Jai Reyes, Emman and our other guards.

My only wish for Mark Tallo is, that like Mike Gamboa, he finds himself in a school that will not only allow his basketball talents to flourish but will also give him an education comparable to what he would have gotten at the Ateneo.

Good luck and Godspeed Mark!

Someone shared this with me. View from Cebu. Sayang naman talaga (as I mentioned in my previous post) even his education is disrupted because of this.


Tallo leaves Ateneo
By Jonas Panerio
Cebu Daily News
7:47 am | Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

The stint of Cebuano basketball prodigy Mark Jayven Tallo with the three-time UAAP defending champions, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, is over.

This, after the former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) and Jr. NBA MVP packed up his bags and went back home here in Cebu as a result of his displeasure with his role and playing time or lack thereof with the backcourt-heavy Eagles.

His departure was confirmed by none other than Ateneo head coach Norman Black along with former University of the Visayas star center and current Ateneo slotman Greg Slaughter. Black said yesterday he was disappointed with Tallo’s departure from the squad.

“Obviously, I’m very disappointed that he left. He had his free will and I had no say in his decision to leave. I would say that he couldn’t fit in the system. He started practicing with us in April and the system that we are running is a lot more complicated than most people think,” Black said. “I would say that Mark was very impatient and wanted playing time instantly.”

The affable head coach also clarified that his current Eagles squad has a logjam at the perimeter positions and said that had Tallo been patient, he would’ve been able to get as much playing time as he wanted.

“Majority of the players that we recruit here don’t become stars instantly. How it goes is that the older guys graduate and the younger stars step in. We have five guards graduating next year and this includes Kirk Long, Emman Monfort and Zags Gonzaga among others. The decision not to play him had nothing to do with his talent. I recruited him in good faith and I wanted him to stay. He just did not learn the system yet but we were willing to give him time to do that but we never really got to that point,” added Black.

Slaughter, also a rookie with the Eagles, was also saddened with his fellow Cebuano’s departure from the team. “He just packed up and left. It’s his decision. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s hard to see him go but we can’t let that distract us from preparing for the UAAP,” said Slaughter.

LOST CONFIDENCE

Tallo’s father, Mark, though, alleged that Black ruined his son’s confidence by not playing him, hence the latter decided to just go back home. “Nadaut ang kumpiyansa sa bata kay wala may duwa-duwa. Maski banga ang kontra like Mapua, wala gihapon niya gamita,” (Sorry, the article didn't have an English/Tagalog translation for this, but I think we can get the gist of it - 5FC) said the elder Tallo, referring to Ateneo’s quarterfinal game against Mapua wherein Mark Jayven did not see any playing time. That incident, Mark said, prompted his son to leave the school.

Black, though, defended himself and put the issue to rest.

“Yes, I spoke to him before that game because Mark was telling his teammates that he was going home because he can’t help the team if he isn’t seeing any court time. I talked to him and told him to just be patient and Mark understood that. From what I gathered, the father felt insulted and told his son to just go home. I did no such thing. I felt we understood one another but apparently, we didn’t. We don’t have a choice but to move on.”

With his departure, other schools have come calling for Tallo’s services, including the University of the Philippines, La Salle, Arellano University and San Beda among others. The youngster though, appears intent on skipping school this year and just train here and abroad.

Coming soon to a theater near you:

THE LOST BOYS (PART 2)

Starring Ael Banal and Mark Jayven Tallo

"Nadaut ang kumpiyansa sa bata kay wala may duwa-duwa. Maski banga ang kontra like Mapua, wala gihapon niya gamita,”

The boy's confidence got damaged because he wasn't playing at all. Even though against weak teams like Mapua, he still wasn't used.

Some of us here in Cebu are also shocked that he left. All of us though acknowledged the fact that his chances of being a starter is close to nil, yet all he had to do was to be a little more patient since so many guards will be graduating after this season. Unfortunately, that is one thing the kid lacked. No one taught him that patience is indeed a virtue. He didn't even wait for the chance to be part of the Fil-Oil champion team.

There are also rumors heard here that Tallo was questioning Ravena's playing time. Kiefer is a rookie after all, just like him. He can't understand why he wasn't given a chance to play while Kiefer was logging on major minutes every game. Also, someone mentioned that Tallo had a contract with the team that states he should be a starter right away. I immediately shot down the guy who said it, telling him that Coach Black can never agree to such an arrangement and that those can't be legal at all.

Some here say he will be going to NU, UST or should have gone to DLSU instead.

I, for one, am really disappointed with the situation because I do believe he can be the perfect backcourt partner of Ravena maybe from 2012-15. Sayang talaga.

agree with all your points, FFB99. dunno about the jealousy regarding kiefer, but mark should've had the sense to at least trust that Coach had great plans for him. imagine, he was taken in and given a Hail Mary slot from the get-go -- no glory B stint or what-not. not many can say they were given that same chance.

on his prospects for the future, i doubt that DLRT would be one of the more logical, sensible options. doesn't make sense, what with the fact that even they call themselves the taft security agency. will he take away minutes from, say, tampus? or maybe vosotros, revilla, dela paz, atkins? he can keep dan sara company on the bench . NU or UST might be better options, but is he good enough to spell kyle neypes or cedric labing-isa? louie vigil is already in españa. can he backstop the former baby bomber? how good is his offense? can he take up the scoring cudgels for jeric teng or tata bautista?

sayang talaga, FFB99. dunno if the process that began with his packing his bags is irreversible. if it is, maybe you can talk to the boy or his parents? if not, then all the best to him. it won't be the end of the world for the ateneo, and it certainly won't for him if he can parlay his talents toward a bright future.

Well good luck to him and his family (I almost typed 'good riddance'). It will be hard for the coaching staff to integrate someone who has that much sense of entitlement. How can he ever buy in to Coach Norman's team concept? I can't recall a rookie in Ateneo's history who cried this loudly that he wasn't getting playing time (although to be fair, some say that Mark was ok with it but it was his dad who felt entitled).

Other equally or probably more talented rookies before him had to learn to be humble and develop patience when they joined the Blue Eagles - JC and Nico are the best examples. It's a different case with rookies of clearly superior talent who are inserted into the rotation from day one, like LA, Ryan and Keifer. But regardless of which type of rookie has joined the team, they all "did their time" sitting on the bench while learning Coach Norman's system. And these rookies all become certified stars when they were ready.

If Mark or his family are complaining this loudly and their son's first UAAP game hasn't even started, imagine what will happen once the season starts! Baka bawat super performance ni Keifer eh magwala ang pamilya ni Mark. The team doesn't need that kind of distraction. Just my two cents' worth.

Trying hard na stagemother si father. ang tawag sa kanya ay MF: Mother-Father.

both have stagemothers as fathers

Rumors that have been floating around the grapevine this past week.


Tallo out, but is Buenafe in for the Blue Eagles?
By BEA CUPIN, GMA News
06/14/2011 | 05:45 PM


Even before the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tourney begins, the Blue Eagles Men's Team are already brimming with intrigues.

Blue Eagle team manager Paolo Trillo confirmed in an interview with GMA News Online that Cebuano recruit Mark Tallo will no longer be suiting up for the Blue Eagles come July. "He left for his own reasons without consulting us," said Trillo.

Tallo was part of the Blue Eagle line-up in the recently concluded FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup which the Eagles won.

Trillo admitted the team is "very disappointed" with the young point guard’s decision and for "leaving without a word." After their pre-Finals game against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, however, Tallo went home to Cebu.

According to Tallo’s father, the rookie will be playing collegiate basketball in Cebu. However, Trillo confirmed that he has heard reports that other UAAP schools – De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas – were keen on recruiting him.

As of this posting, both schools could not be reached for a comment.

The Blue Eagle manager explained that Tallo might not have adjusted to coach Norman Black’s system, where players start getting heavy playing time only in their second, third or fourth years of playing.

In an earlier interview with GMA News Online, Black said: “If you're a freshman coming in and you wanna play 25, 30 minutes for the Ateneo team, [then] you're probably playing for the wrong team."

Before Tallo suited up for the Eagles, Trillo said that team management explained to the rookie that “his time would come" after the UAAP Season 74 because a lot of guards – Kirk Long, Emman Monfort and Bacon Austria – would be graduating.

Should Tallo decide to play for another UAAP school, he will not need Ateneo’s consent. "He didn’t complete the requirements [for enrolment]. He’s free to go," said Trillo.

Players who transfer from one UAAP school to another are required to finish two years of residency in the new school unless a written clearance is issued by the other school.

"We wish him the best of luck but the thing is, he didn’t leave us on the right note," Trillo added.

Come-back for Buenafe?

Amid news of Tallo’s exit are whispers about Ryan Buenafe’s return to the team. During the pre-season, Buenafe was not part of the line-up nor did he join the Blue Eagles during their training in the United States.

Trillo declined to comment on Buenafe’s condition, saying that the team does not want to meddle with the player’s "personal matters."

"As of now, he’s still not with us and we’re giving him time to attend to his personal matters," he said.

He clarified however, that the team has yet to submit its final UAAP line-up and that from now until the deadline, anything can happen.

"But he hasn’t been practicing with us [and] it’s going to be hard for [Buenafe] to attend classes and play for the team while he’s attending to his case," said Trillo. -- OMG/RSJ, GMA News

Ryan Buenafe is definitely out of this year's team. Makes no sense inserting him in now, assuming he's in game shape, which he's not (he made his QPI.)

Back-reading this thread, I remember asking whether Mr. Tallo was looking for an education first .... and someone said he did, his father did. Doesn't look like it now.

He's already a member of the regular team and receives the same training, coaching, scholarship package as say, the Phenom. So what's the problem .... playing time? He's an out-of-towner studying in Manila and complying with the rigors of school and the basketball program .... and isn't this enough to occupy your time for a year? Next year, as indicated to him, after five guys graduate, he will have the opportunity.

To me, this was not about education but purely basketball. Maybe his is the perfect fit for D-League.

I think though that this was a failure of recruitment. Ateneo did not explain things well enough or Ateneo did not correctly evaluate whether such a recruit will thrive in Loyola Heights. Time and funds were wasted. Nasira rin ang schedule ni Tallo if indeed he is serious about getting an education.

Tallo must be really good ..... like Lebron, he (and his father) have very high expectations of himself. Good luck to him. But Lebron still doesn't have a ring .... because basketball is about team, about a system (which every one has to fit in) ..... and as Dan Gilbert tweeted to mock Lebron, there are no shortcuts.