By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Young Filipino hoops star Carl Tamayo just proved why he is deserving of an Asian import call-up in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) after setting a new career-high with 37 big points on January 9, 2025.
Despite the close 88-92 loss, Tamayo fought hard for the Changwon LG Sakers against the Seoul Samsung Thunders and nearly led them to a victory.
Tamayo was a one-man wrecking machine for Changwon LG and capped off his impressive performance with an efficient 17/19 shooting from the field in just 32 minutes of playing time.
The former UAAP champion with the UP Fighting Maroons and a current member of the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s National Basketball Team was unstoppable since his jersey got called, bullying every Seoul defender that was thrown at him in the post.
Tamayo only made two three-pointers, but most of his buckets came at the shaded lane where he received isolation post-up plays from his head coach.
Aside from his post-up prowess, Tamayo also made a living in the perimeter and cashed several timely jumpers that kept Changwon LG within striking distance the whole game.
Tamayo shot a perfect clip of 15/15 from the two-paint area and single-handedly torched the Samsung Thunders but the opposition’s balanced attack was too much for the Sakers, resulting in a nip-and-tuck loss.
The stalwart also stuffed the stat sheets for Changwon LG, tallying an all-around effort of seven rebounds (two offensive) and three assists.
With the feat, Tamayo just broke the record first set by his fellow Filipino SJ Belangel who scored 36 markers for the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus last week.
Changwon LG is currently placed fifth in the KBL standings with a win-loss record of 14-13 and will have a chance to end the week on a high note if they take down Anyang KGC.
