CARL Tamayo was solid in helping University of the Philippines to end a 36-year title wait in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

In his first game since the Fighting Maroons championship run, Tamayo, representing the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, received a reality check against a heftier New Zealand side in a 60-106 loss last Thursday.

“Yung mindset nila (Tall Blacks), the way they play talagang physical,” said Tamayo after Sunday night’s 79-63 win over India at the end of Group A action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 6-foot-7 Tamayo rolled his right ankle during the final quarter against New Zealand after running into a screen of 6-foot-7 Tom Vodanovich.

“Doon ko nakitang kailangan talaga magpalakas ng katawan kasi ganoon pala sa international na high level na mga kalaban mong didiin sa iyo,” said Tamayo.

A doubtful starter against the Indians, Tamayo was quick to show some improvements despite playing hurt.

Aside from scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds, Tamayo showed another facet of his game, producing three steals while limiting his turnovers to just two to atone his four errors he committed against the Tall Blacks.

Gilas will move on to the second round of the group phase with a 2-2 record. The Philippined will be in Group E alongside New Zealand, India, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

Before the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers next month, Gilas will focus on the FIBA Asia Cup in Indonesia on July 12-24.

Tamayo is just delighted to enter the tournament coming off a win, a much-needed one after three straight losses — two against South Korea in friendlies and the 46-point drubbing it suffered from the hands of New Zealand.

“Masaya, kasi tatlong sunod na talo kami eh. Siyempre, marami pa kaming kailangan i-improve as a team pero masaya pa rin kasi kahit anong sabihin, panalo pa rin,” said Tamayo.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado