UNIVERSITY of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde is ready to move on without his prized ward Carl Tamayo, who will suit up for Japan B.League’s top-tier club Ryukyu Golden Kings.

Tamayo’s inside presence, as well as his occasional outside snipings when needed, will be sorely missed by the Fighting Maroons.

“On behalf of the UPMBT coaching staff , we wish Carl the best on his journey in the B.League,” Monteverde posted on his Facebook account yesterday.

Monteverde and Tamayo have gone a long way.

Tamayo first saw action for Adamson in the UAAP juniors basketball tournament, winning the Rookie of the Year honors in 2016. He moved to Nazareth School of National University in 2019, winning two high school boys titles on top of back-to-back Finals MVP awards.

Touted as the best big man since Benjie Paras to grace the Fighting Maroons, Tamayo helped the Diliman-based squad in ending a 36-year championship drought in UAAP men’s basketball last May to go along with the Rookie of the Year and Mythical Team plums.

Tamayo fell short in leading UP to a back-to-back titles, losing to Ateneo in an epic three-game Finals last month. He ended his college stint with a second consecutive Mythical Team selection.

“Carl has been part of our lives since he was 13 and I can say he is really selfless, always putting the team before himself, showing great character both on and off the court.

I am always amazed with his incredible determination, passion and his desire to always be the best version of himself for the team,” said Monteverde.

“We thank Carl for being part of our historic journey as champions of Season 84 and runner up of Season 85,” he added.

Monteverde’s quick rise as one of the brightest collegiate coaching minds will be always attributed to Tamayo.

A grateful Monteverde is very thankful for the 6-foot-7 Tamayo for what he is right now.

“I am honored to be his coach for many years. We will definitely miss him during practices and games. I will miss his company because more than just my player, Carl is family,” said Monteverde.

“His departure from the UP Fighting Maroons may not have been the ending we had all imagined , but his contributions here will definitely be remembered,” said Monteverde.

“While this move somehow saddens me, I trust his decision and I will always stand by him with 100 percent support,” he added.

“Thank you to the UP community and to everyone giving their full support to Carl Tamayo, our Fighting Maroon No. 33.”