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At first glance, Mark Jayven Tallo looks like your typical fifteen year-old. He hangs out with friends, dabbles in computer games and has quite a number of crushes.
But then again, he?s far from being ordinary. Because this precocious high school basketeer is a certified demon on the basketball court with the jaw-dropping statistics and awards to boot:
* He was one of only five high school cagers in the entire Philippines chosen to represent the country in the jr.NBA camp in the US last April. And Tallo did not only make the camp, he was also chosen as the Philippines jr.NBA Most Valuable Player.
* He bagged the Sportsmanship Award of the Adidas 3-on-3 National Finals despite his team finishing only in fourth place.
* He made the Mythical 5 both in the All Star Games and regular season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) last year when he was just 14 years old.
* Just recently, he gave his team, the Cebu Institute of Technology Wildkittens its first ever CESAFI secondary crown by sweeping the University of San Jose Recoletos Baby Jaguars in the finals. His squad also beat the powerhouse UV Baby Lancers in the semis, the first time that the Baby Lancers failed to make the finals.
* Then Tallo capped his breakthrough season by bagging the coveted CESAFI MVP award.
His basketball savvy, is actually not surprising. Being the son of former PBA player Mark Tallo who must have toyed with a basketball earlier than a teether, the youngster they say, is bound to be a basketball wonder long before he learned to shoot hoops. And he is equally serious about finishing his studies too, fully aware that the sport loves, won?t be a lifetime tool.
The CHAMP had an online interview with Tallo a few days before his Cesafi title conquest. Read on and find out more about this junior high student who is touted as Cebu?s brightest bet for basketball superstardom.
Why basketball, why not other sport?
Basketball has been part of my family?s life. My father earns a living out of the sport and even played before in the PBA. He also has a Basketball Training Camp every summer and I am one of his training staff. I have this amazing feeling every time I teach and share my talents with others. Through basketball, I become more mature, responsible, learned to communicate well and get along with other people.
Who are your basketball idols?
I idolized my dad. He was not only a good player but also the best basketball coach. Aside from him, NBA players like Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, Jason Williams.
Do you feel any pressure since your father was once a famous PBA player?
No, in fact I am inspired by what my father has achieved and hoped that some day I will be able to play in the PBA too.
Tell me about the hardships you went through before making it to the RP jr.NBA camp?
I trained hard because I really wanted to make it to the RP jr.NBA cast and earn a trip to the US and meet my NBA idols. My dad was a major factor why I was chosen because he really prepared me well and taught me everything he got. The most challenging part happened two days before the jr.NBA in Manila when I was injured in a tune-up game. I really cried because I thought I can?t join the tryout anymore. My ankle was swollen and according to the doctor it will take two weeks to one month for it to heal. But my dad would have none of it. He put ice pack on my swollen ankle and I virtually slept with it. Miraculously, after two days it healed.
What are your unforgettable experiences when you attended the jr.NBA camp in the US?
It was a surreal feeling, add to that the super cold weather in the US. It took long before I was able to convince myself that I was part of the most scientific basketball training camp in the world. I was grateful because I got the chance to be trained by NBA legend Ron Harper. Another unforgettable thing was when I met the US? jr.NBA team. They were very friendly and accommodating. But the most unforgettable experience was when we watched an NBA game live in New Jersey. I keep asking myself if it was really happening. From just watching the games on TV, there I was, watching it live. It was unbelievable.
Who are the NBA stars you met during that trip?
I?ve seen a lot but got to meet and interact only with Ron Harper.
What advice did he give you?
It was a simple advice. Just practice hard and focus on our game and double our effort towards achieving our goals.
Did you expect to be named as one of the country's five representatives to the jr.NBA camp in the US? How did you react?
When I tried out here in Cebu, I was very confident of making it to the Manila tryout. But when I arrived in Manila, I had doubts because the players there were very tall and well-built. But my parents advised me to think positive. I also would like to thank my uncle Dinsay and uncle Manolit who were very supportive during our stay in Manila.
During your trip to the US, have you made friends with campers from other countries? Are you still in contact with them?
No?because when we were in the US, we only met during games ....we also had very hectic schedules.
You are touted as one of the most promising junior cagers in Cebu. What is your reaction?
Every player my age wants to be famous one day. I?m very flattered to hear these compliments and will just try my best to give my 100 percent in every game and try to keep on improving. There?s no room for complacency if you want to reach the top.
For the first time, your team won the CESAFI high school crown beating powerhouse UV in the semis and sweeping the USJ-R Baby Jaguars in the finals series. What?s your secret?
We won because of teamwork, that?s first and foremost. Whether it?s the elimination round or the championship game, we always try to be cohesive knowing that basketball is a team game. My dad also helped a lot in bringing out the best in each one of us. We applied our defense properly, we communicated well and played our respective roles effectively.
The CESAFI has been rocked with player suspensions as of late. Do you think the league commissioner acted judiciously in handing out these suspensions?
We respect the rules and regulations of the CESAFI. And we respect our beloved Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy. Some players committed mistakes so I think they deserve it. But some players I think are innocent so I don?t think they should be suspended. Also, I think the lifetime ban is too harsh. I am a player myself and as such I just want to show my talent in basketball. I would be dejected if somebody would stop me from doing so.
If you were given the chance to meet and talk with Commissioner Tiukinhoy, what would you tell him?
It would be a great honor for me if I will have the chance to meet and talk to him. I will ask some advice on what to do to further improve my talent.
Do you have a girlfriend or crush? Can you tell us who?
No. I don?t have a girlfriend. Crushes are normal for a teenager like me and I have lots of them. But right now, the special women in my life are my mom and sisters.
Your dad once played in the PBA which is the dream of almost every basketball player. Do you think you can surpass your dad?s achievements?
When I was young and my dad just started training me in basketball, he would always show me some sports articles about his PBA exploits which my mom collected. I want my dad to be proud of me and hope that someday, I will be able to surpass his achievements. I am confident of this because he trained me well.
What advice did your dad constantly tell you?
BE HUMBLE ALL THE TIME. Focus on my game if I am inside the court. And give importance to my education. He told me that I can achieve both if I know how to manage my time well. he encouraged me to always thank God for all the blessings.
Do you think the Philippines has any chance of winning an Olympic medal in basketball? What do think you needs to be done?
I think we still have a chance for an Olympic medal in basketball despite our perennial lack of height. Basketball is like war in that offensive weapons are developed first, and it always takes a while for the defense to catch up. To win, we need proper training, discipline, teamwork and the fire to beat the other team. And the most important factor, a good coach.
How serious you are in your studies?
I am very serious in my studies because I need to. Basketball is not forever while knowledge is, this is what my mom always tell me. In my school, you can?t be a varsity player if you have failing grades. So I need to study doubly hard.
What is the ultimate dream of a Mark Jayven Tallo?
My ultimate dream is to become a legend in basketball. I want to be like Manny Pacquiao who is known all over the world. Hopefully, someday my dream will come true.
