CARL Tamayo is making the leap and is heading to Japan.
Carl Tamayo bound for Japan B.League
In a lengthy Instagram post, the University of the Philippines forward bared that he has accepted an offer to head overseas and start his professional career in the Japan B.League.
"Playing for UP has been one of the greatest blessings in my life, and I am grateful to coach Gold [Monteverde], coach Bo [Perasol], our Sponsors, the whole team, the people behind Nowhere to go but UP, and the UP community for welcoming me into the UP family and for contributing to my growth as a basketball player. Thank you po sa inyong lahat," he wrote.
"I am especially grateful because my playing for UP has opened the doors to even more blessings and opportunities. I would like to share with everyone that I have been invited to play in the Japanese B-League, and after consulting my family, Coach Gold, my teammates, and the UPMBT management, I have decided to accept the offer to play professionally in Japan."
Tamayo has been consistently courted by overseas teams from Japan and Korea and has been linked to play for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the B.League.
The former UAAP Rookie of the Year, though, has yet to divulge which team he agreed to play for.
Tamayo led UP to back-to-back championship appearances in his two years with the Fighting Maroons, and posted a team-best 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists this past UAAP Season 85.
Though he's already looking ahead to his next chapter, the Gilas Pilipinas star expressed his gratutude to the Diliman faithful who welcomed him with open arms.
"To the UP community and to the team’s fans, salamat kaayo. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and for your support. Whatever colors I wear in the years to come, my heart will always bleed maroon," he said.
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