YENG Guiao has had his fair share of second-generation players throughout his long coaching career, but he never had a chance to coach a father and a son.
Until now.
Guiao's coaching career went full circle when Mac Tallo joined NLEX late last conference as a free-agent pick-up, over two decades after his father Mark Anthony played for the veteran coach at 7-Up back in 1995.
“Ilang second generation na 'yang nahawakan ko. Una si Jeric Teng, tapos si Kiefer Ravena, tapos ngayon si Mac Tallo. Dumadami na yung second-generation (players) na naging player ko,” Guiao said, waxing nostalgic.
Asked to compare the son to the father, the Kapampangan coach quipped: “Mas magandang lalaki naman itong si Mac.”

Turning serious, the multi-titled coach gushed over his recruit's potential, saying he expects the younger Tallo to blossom under his tutelage.
“I think potential-wise, the younger Mac can potentially get better than the father. I'm sure he won't mind that. His style is well-suited for the system that we employ. At the same time, he combines well with the players that we already have. He has natural leadership qualities on the court being a point guard,” he said.
“To me, the only weakness of his game is just developing a more consistent outside shot. He can slash, he can penetrate, he can pass, and he’s very good on the pick-and-roll. So I guess we’ll just focus on developing his game by adding another weapon which is an outside shot.”
The older Tallo was one of the first in a long line of Cebuano guards to play for Guiao through the years. Unfortunately, that partnership only lasted one season as Tallo was let go by 7-Up, not exactly because Guiao wanted to.
“Actually, the problem sa 7-Up noon, there was a change of management. If it were my choice alone, I would’ve kept Mac then eh. But from what I recall, medyo wala na sa authority ko noon yung situation,” he said.
He figures to see Tallo's son longer.
Tallo, picked 10th overall in the 2017 PBA Draft, showed promise in his three-game stint with the Road Warriors in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and continued to roll in the Asia League Super 8 in Macau, where he averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists in the squad’s fourth-place finish.
The two-time Cesafi MVP out of Southwestern University has made the most of his opportunity in the absence of Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas, but Guiao expects him to play better with the two absent NLEX mainstays.
“The upside is really good especially when you combine him with Kiefer and Kevin (Alas). I’m just looking forward to that joining of their talents,” Guiao said. “I’m sure he will be a key player in this coming conference for us, but I can’t wait to have him play side-by-side with Kevin and Kiefer. Sana mapabilis.”
Tallo is just the latest Cebuano guard to play for Guiao, who previously handled the likes of Jimwell Torion and Junthy Valenzuela during his reign in Red Bull and Al Solis and Ricric Marata much earlier with the RFM franchise.
“I like the Cebuano players for two reasons: They’re scrappy and hardworking, and the other thing is they’re fighters. Matapang sila and they don’t get intimidated,” he said. “I think if you’re hardworking and you’re mentally and physically tough, you will most likely play well in our system.”
Asked to compare Tallo with the other Cebuano guards he handled before, Guiao said, “They actually play almost the same style, but I just feel na si Mac, mas pino and he’s probably stronger body-wise compared to Jimwell. Pero compared sa ibang Cebuano, hindi naman nalalayo."
“They play street-smart basketball. There's a certain common denominator which is they’re very creative inside the court. That is one thing I like about Mac, the same thing with Jimwell, the same thing with Junthy, the same thing with his dad. I think that creativity of that Cebuano style of play will really blend well with our system.”
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