By MARK REY MONTEJO
Carl Tamayo put on another stellar all-around game and helped power Changwon LG Sakers to a 75-66 win over the Seoul SK Knights at the start of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Finals on Monday, May 5.
In his first-ever KBL finals, Tamayo, 24, overcame the pressure and helped the Sakers traverse a bumpy start before their onslaught in the second frame where they never looked back despite the Knights trying to pull off a comeback.
Game 2 is set Wednesday, May 7.
Tamayo uncorked 24 points on top of 10 rebounds, two assists, and one block in almost 38 minutes of action – his longest since joining the club last year.
It was also the Talisay, Cebu native’s third consecutive double-digit scoring game after his first two that anchored Changwon to close out its semis series against the pesky Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
Complementing Tamayo’s superb outing for the Sakers was Assem Marei who posted 19 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and five steals, while Heo Il-Young and Yang Jun-Seok added nine points apiece.
Prior to their title clash, Changwon already secured its EASL ticket while competing in its third overall finals appearance – its last championship run was more than a decade ago where it succumbed to Ulsan, 4-2.
