Carl Tamayo to play in Japan B.League, leaves UP after 2 seasons

MANILA, Philippines-Carl Tamayo has officially bid adieu to the University of the Philippines after two seasons in the UAAP, choosing to take action for Japan in the B.League.

After UP’s UAAP Finals loss against Katipunan rival Ateneo, Tamayo decided to leave behind his playing years with the Fighting Maroons and join the growing ranks of Filipino imports overseas.

“I am very grateful that playing in UP has opened the door to more blessings and opportunities. I want to share with everyone that I have been invited to play in the Japanese B.League and after consulting with coach Gold (Monteverde), my friends, and the management of UPMBT, I decided to accept the offer to play professionally in Japan,” said Tamayo in an Instagram post.

“Becoming a professional basketball player is a dream I’ve had since I started playing organized basketball. It will allow me to take care of my family while playing the game I love.

In his two seasons at UP, Tamayo was the center of the team’s offense alongside league MVPs Malick Diouf and JD Cagulangan.

The big man averaged 13.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in Season 85. He also posted the norm of 13.1 markers and 7.3 boards in Season 84 which earned him the nod for Rookie of the Year.

After losing the last game of the season in December, Tamayo said he was “not thinking about” an offer abroad.

In Japan, Tamayo joins fellow UAAP reserve Kobe Paras, Dwight Ramos and Thirdy Ravena, the latest to join the 1,000-point club in the B.League.

The 6-foot-6 swingman expressed his gratitude to the UP community as he exited after two successful stints in his college career.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a member of the UP Maroons, it’s that we can count on the UP community to support us through thick and thin. This is what I was told when I wasn’t a member of the Maroons, and this is what I saw when I wore the maroon jersey. UP has the best fans the loudest and most supportive in the UAAP,” he said.

“This is why playing for UP has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I thank Coach Gold, Coach Bo (Perasol), our sponsors, the whole team, people who are not behind us but UP and the UP community for accepting me in the UP family and for contributing to my growth as a basketball player. Thank you all,” he continued.

However, the Cebuano is yet to reveal which team he will be playing in the overseas league.

In a Facebook post, the program director of the UP men’s basketball team thanked Tamayo for his service.

“Thank you so much, Carl!” Perasol said.

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.