CARL Tamayo may be one of Philippine basketball’s most promising stars but there was a time that the 6-foot-7 forward had no interest in the sport.
The only thing that enticed him to go to Manila was the opportunity to meet his idol, Cebuano superstar June Mar Fajardo.
This, the pride of Talisay City relayed during his appearance on The BEST Center’s “Bida BEST Live” backed by Milo.
Although tall for his age, Tamayo said he didn’t know how to play the game but still got interest from then-Adamson Baby Falcons head coach Goldwyn Monteverde who scheduled a dinner meeting with him and his mother, Hermenia Tamayo, who was an ace spiker of the Southwestern University women’s volleyball team in the ‘90s.
“I said ‘let’s not go to Manila. We don’t know the people we are meeting with.’ We were even late. We were supposed to meet at 7:30 but we arrived around 9,” Tamayo said.
Tamayo added he remained lukewarm to the idea until he was asked who his favorite player was.
“Fajardo was my idol. They promised me a photo op with Fajardo. That’s the reason why I went along with it. I didn’t think I would be playing basketball or be studying in Manila,” Tamayo said with a laugh.
Tamayo admitted knowing enough about the game to play. However, he realized how long he still had to go during one amusing incident wherein he kept on playing despite already having five fouls.
Tamayo has since come a long way, developing into one of the most versatile big men in the country. After head coach Goldwin Monteverde departed Adamson High School and moved to Nazareth School of National University, Tamayo followed suit and helped the Bullpups win two UAAP high school titles, winning a couple of Finals MVP awards along the way.
He also suited up for Batang Gilas and averaged 12 points and six rebounds in the Philippines’ campaign during the 2019 FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup in Greece.
After high school, Tamayo decided to take his talents to the University of the Philippines where he will play for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP. (JNP)