By MARK REY MONTEJO
Carl Tamayo put on a show and powered the Changwon LG Sakers past the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, 84-75, for a 2-0 semifinal lead in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Saturday, April 26.
Tamayo, alongside Assem Marei, formed a lethal 1-2 combo that spearheaded the Sakers’ offensive flurry in the second half and never looked back to leave the gritty Phoebus side behind while inching closer to the finals.
The Gilas Pilipinas standout sizzled with 22 points on top of five rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Marei notched a stellar statline of 24 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block.
The last time Changwon reached the finale was in the 2013-14 edition where it fell short against the once powerhouse Ulsan, 4-2.
Tamayo and the Sakers will have their chance to conclude the best-of-five semis series over the Phoebus in Game 3 Monday, April 28.
Meanwhile, JD Cagulangan and the Suwon KT Sonicboom go for their first win in their semis clash against the top-seed Seoul SK Knights in Game 3 this Sunday, April 27.
The Sonicboom are trailing 0-2 in the series.
