CONVERGE FiberXers reserve guard Mac Tallo is in hot water after photos and videos emerged of the Cebuano guard playing back home in the Sinulog Cup, where he was even named the MVP.
Pictures and videos on social media showed Tallo donning the Z’Nars Jewelry jersey in the game that was even streamed live on former PBA star and Cebu councilor Dondon Hontiveros Facebook page four days ago.
READ Mac Tallo out indefinitely with partial tendon tears
Tallo’s team defeated OCCCI in the final, 95-89.
It is not clear how many games Tallo played in the pocket tournament, but Converge team manager Jacob Lao made it clear that the recently signed guard did not seek the PBA team's permission for the Sinulog Cup games.
“Hindi po siya nagpaalam. I was in Dubai during the game and wala ako natanggap or 'yung team ng text message from him asking for permission,” said the soft-spoken son of Strong Group Athletics Philippines owner Frank Lao.
“Dapat nga po may written letter 'yung paalam n'ya then kami susulat sa PBA na ina-allow namin siya. Wala pong prosesong ganun so I think there was a violation,” said Lao.
The six-foot guard was signed to a two-year deal by Converge before the start of the season but his debut was delayed after it emerged that he had a prior six-month suspension from the tailend of his previous PBA stint with NLEX.
Before the 'ligang labas' issue, the last heard about Tallo was that he was sidelined by 'partial patella tendon tears' last December, leaving him in the injured reserve list.
Under PBA guidelines, no player be it in the active or reserve list can play in unsanctioned tournaments, better known as 'ligang labas' games.
Even appearances as guest player must first be cleared with the PBA and the players’ mother ballclub.
Lao bared that Tallo is under contract with Converge until next season paying him a salary of P300,000 per month. The FiberXers will now move for the termination of that contract, he added.
“Hindi ko na po alam iba ko pa sasabihin kasi nanghihinayang po ako sa chance nya and I need not mention the salary we gave him, it’s much bigger than other players pa nga in the league,” he added.
Converge management has already asked team alternate governor CK Kanapi-Daniolco to conduct an investigation and immediately furnish it as well as the PBA Commissioner's Office the full report.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
