Cyrus Baguio of NLEX drives over Sonny Thoss and Antinio Campbell of Alaska Coach Yeng Guiao worked his magic anew after finding another diamond in the rough.

This time, it was Cebu pride Mac Tallo who made the most of the opportunity given by Guiao in his NLEX debut.

Picked 10th overall in last year’s rookie draft by Talk ‘N Text, Tallo made a six-month hiatus from basketball due to latent tuberculosis.

He was then dropped to free agency by the KaTropa, paving the way for another Guiao gamble.

He picked up Tallo to fill his undermanned backcourt due to the absence of injured Kevin Alas and the suspended Kiefer Ravena.

On Friday night, risk-taker Guiao proved his brilliant decision anew as Tallo fired 11 points, and had three assists and three steals in almost 20 minutes of action despite the Road Warriors’ 111-120 loss to Alaska.

“We were very lucky that nobody picked him up from the free agency. It’s a blessing disguise for us,” Guiao said.

“He has potential. MVP ito sa Cebu. He’s a go-to-guy. He can score, he can pass, he’s a creator for the team.”

Guiao was certain in claiming Tallo as a mix of Jimwell Torion and Willie Miller.

“He’s a combination of Torion, Cebu-style like Miller,” added Guiao who handled the two dynamic point guards during their Red Bull Barako days in the early 2000s.

With Ravena expected to be out until 2019 owing to the 18-month FIBA suspension for illegal substance violation, and Alas sitting out this year due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the 25-year old Tallo has inherited NLEX’s backcourt chores.

Guiao will let time carve Tallo into a legitimate guard, like he did to Miller, Torion, Topex Robinson, Celino Cruz, Paul Lee and, Chris Tiu, Alas and Ravena.

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