FILIPINO players in the B.League are pleased that Carl Tamayo is set to join them in the top tier of Japan pro basketball.
Tamayo has signed with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japan B.League and the Ravena brothers Kiefer and Thirdy are confident the former University of the Philippines forward will do well.
LOOK: Bay Area's Duncan Reid played vs Gilas, Tenorio at 2013 Fiba-Asia
"We're very proud," said Kiefer. "Carl is a a versatile player, he plays inside and outside and he wants to win. He's a welcome additon to the Filipino players overseas."
Thirdy added, "He's very tough and he's incredibly competitive. He's always got that desire to win and he's one of the players that aren't scared to play against the big guys. He's one of those guys that will just be even eager to play against those type of guys and prove himself worthy of being at the same pedestal."
Tamayo joins an already loaded Ryukyu team featuring Allen Durham, Josh Duncan, and Jack Cooley, as well as locals Koh Flippin, Ryuichi Kishimoto, Keita Imamura, and Hugh Watanabe. The team holds a 21-8 win-loss record to sit in fifth place.
"It feels like the strong gets stronger. We all know Ryukyu is a strong team and with Carl's addition, he will help them a lot," said Kiefer.
"I know he's going to fit in well with the team especially if he can play the three position with the imports that Ryukyu have. They're gonna be incredibly tough to stop," Thirdy added.
"Ryukyu has found a gem by landing him and it makes it more difficult in our division," said Bobby Ray Parks.
Curiously, Ryukyu is in the West Division, the same conference as that of Ravena's Shiga Lakes, Parks' Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, and Matthew Wright's Kyoto Hannaryz.
Tamayo's former Gilas Pilipinas peers who are in the second division of the B.League are also upbeat on how he will fare in Japan knowing how competitive the 6-foot-6 banger is.
"I'm excited for him," said Altiri Chiba's Kobe Paras, with Tamayo's entry once again hiking the number of former Fighting Maroons in the B.League to two.
"Wherever Carl chooses to go to, whether it be Asia, America, or Europe, I know Carl will have a huge impact to any team just because he's a different player. He's a guard and he's that tall and skillful, and he's very physical, he gets away with a lot of stuff, and he's a very talented player."
Jordan Heading of Nagasaki Velca is also pleased to have a former Gilas teammate in the Japan league.
"I think he's finding himself in a really good situation and I think he is going to transition pretty well into the professional ranks just in terms of his physicality. I think a lot of the young guys come in and sort of get scared by the pushes and bumps and strength but he's really strong his footwork is sound and he's obviously got incredible touch."
Heading is even convinced that this will be a seamless transition for Tamayo, saying, "I think Ryukyu is lucky to have him I think he's lucky to have Ryukyu and that's a match made in heaven."
And it only means problem for the rest of the league.
That's why Thirdy is already looking at San-En NeoPhoenix's Feb. 11 and 12 home games where they will host Tamayo and the Golden Kings, with him joking: "Sana di pa siya makapunta dito. Sana wala pa si Carl."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
