An undrafted player who nonetheless made the PBA, Mark Anthony Tallo was exhilarated his son Mark Jayven went one up on him with his selection at No. 10 overall in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft last Sunday.
"Masaya ako na talo ako sa anak ko," said Mark Anthony, a proud dad during the draft exercise at Robinson's Place Manila where he's son was TNT KaTropa's leading draft choice.
He was there well ahead of the proceedings, hopeful of a glorious moment for his son, unlike what he experienced during his time back in the 1991 draft.
The pint-sized Cebuano guard, who played for Magnolia in the defunct PABL, went undrafted along with future coach Tino Pinat, Macario Bautista, Rohimust Santos, Jerome Cueto, Rolando Cruz, Antonio Borromeo and Emmanuel Javier in that draft where Alex Araneta, Bong Hawkins and Eugene Quilban led the draftees.
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But Tallo did realize his PBA dream when he was called and signed by Seven-Up as an unrestricted free agent.
The younger Tallo, among five second-generation players selected in the 2017 draft, could well have his own contract with TNT KaTropa.
Mark Anthony played for two seasons with Seven-Up, averaging 2.6 points in 55 games.
"Nung hindi na ako pinapirma, bumalik na ako sa Cebu. Nagkabakante sa Swift at hinanap ako ni Teroy (Albarillo). Kaso wala pang cell phone noon, 'di ako nakita ni Teroy," said Mark Anthony.
Another chance to extend his playing years came from San Miguel Beer.
"Na-injured si (Hector) Calma at si (Franz) Pumaren. Kaso pinapapirma lang ako ng three months. Paano naman pagkatapos non, di ko na pwedeng balikan ang nakuha kong trabaho. So hindi na ako pumirma sa San Miguel," said Mark Anthony.
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He had an encounter with now Barangay Ginebra top official Alfrancis Chua during their PABL days.
Among the best ball handlers during his time, Tallo made a trick that put Chua in an embarrassing situation.
"Tinusok ako dito," said Tallo, pointing to his face, as to the reaction of Chua then.
The two recalled that incident as they bumped into each other during the draft proceedings. And they both had a good laugh.
Tallo had a fulfilling day on that glorious Sunday where revisited good memories while staring at a bright future for his son.
