CARL TAMAYO has decided to turn pro by accepting an offer to play basketball in Japan, he has confirmed. UP Fighting Maroons Carl Tamayo pens a letter for the UP community on Instagram, Tuesday, January 10, to announce that he accepted the offer to play in a professional basketball league in Japan.
Here are the Instagram posts:
“If there is one thing I learned as a member of the UP Maroons, it is that we can count on the UP community to support us through thick or thin.
Ito ang sinasabi nila nung hindi pa ako myembro ng Maroons, at ito ang nakita ko nung suot ko na ang maroon jersey ko: UP has the loudest, most supportive fans in the UAAP. Matatapang, matatalino, walang takot kahit kanino.
Nakita namin yan nung nag finals tayo nung Season 84 at Season 85. We heard and felt your joy when we made history and won the championship last May, and we shared your pain when we finished first runner-up last December.”
This is why playing for UP has been one of the greatest blessings in my life, and I am grateful to Coach Gold, Coach Bo, 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.
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.
Becoming a professional basketball player is a dream I have had ever since I started playing organized basketball. It will allow me to care of my family while playing the game that I love.
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.
UP’s Season 84 championship doesn’t happen without this go-ahead basket by Carl Tamayo versus La Salle in the Final Four. His entire performance during that fourth quarter was generational-type stuff.
