CARL Tamayo never needed much time to decide where he wanted to continue his career.
Even after the Changwon LG Sakers fell short of retraining their Korean Basketball League (KBL) crown this year, the Gilas Pilipinas big man found enough reasons to stay, quickly signing a contract extension with the club he now considers the ideal place to keep elevating his game.
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For the 25-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward, stability has become just as important as success, and he believes he has found both at Changwon.
"Okay naman. I mean, maayos naman 'yung relationship namin sa team. And I think that's why I signed an extension with them kasi maayos sila sa akin and I think I'll improve more as a basketball player din sa kanila," Tamayo said.
It was an easy call for the former University of the Philippines hotshot, whose stock continues to rise since taking his act overseas.
Just last year, Tamayo etched his name in Philippine basketball lore after helping the LG Sakers capture their first-ever KBL championship, becoming the first Filipino import to win league titles in both the Japan B.League and the KBL.
The triumph came years after he tasted a B.League championship with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, making him the lone Filipino to conquer Asia's two premier professional leagues.
Although Changwon's title defense ended in the semifinals this year, Tamayo sees unfinished business rather than disappointment.
Instead of looking elsewhere, he doubled down on the organization he believes offers the best environment to further polish his all-around game.
Gilas duties next
Before beginning that redemption bid in Korea, however, Tamayo has another responsibility to fulfill.
The versatile forward has once again earned a callup in Tim Cone's Gilas roster for the third window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the Nationals face regional heavyweights Australia and New Zealand.
The national team stint also serves as another opportunity for Tamayo to continue sharpening his game before returning overseas.
Among the areas he wants to focus on, none stands out more than maximizing his physical tools.
"A lot of things. Maybe palakasin 'yung katawan pa, but it's a lot of stuff. Mainly, I just want to be in the best shape that I could," he said.
Already one of the country's most versatile forwards, Tamayo believes adding more strength and reaching peak condition will allow him to better utilize his 6-foot-8 frame against bigger and more physical competition, whether for Gilas or the LG Sakers.
And with a championship already under his belt and a long-term commitment now in place, Tamayo is convinced he is exactly where he needs to be.
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