Tamayo emerges as UP Maroons’ next great big man
WAY back in 1986, a burly yet athletic young big man led by the name of Benjie Paras burst onto the scene, won the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player trophies, and led the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to the UAAP title.
Fast forward to 2022 and another young big man may just be treading a similar path to greatness. Cebuano Carl Tamayo—this year’s Rookie of the Year—has definitely seized the team to be his own with one impactful performance after another.
And although the 6-foot-7 center from Talisay City, Cebu, was held in check by Ateneo’s defense in the penultimate Game Three, Tamayo contributed six points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals to help UP emerge victorious, 7269, and end their 36-year title drought.
“This victory is really sweet, of course, we’ve worked hard for it,” said Tamayo.
Although the Fighting Maroons were loaded with talent, the road to the title was an uphill climb. Entrenched as the second seed in the Final Four, UP saw its campaign threatened by a relentless De La Salle University squad that led by double-figures in their do-or-die rubber match. The Maroons pushed through that and then had to overcome the ultimate test in the reigning champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
“All the hard work and training, we really stood by our promise to not back down. We trusted each other,” said Tamayo, who put up stellar averages of 11.33 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in the finals.
UP had all the right answers in Game One, recovering in the endgame to force overtime and eventually prevail, 81-74. However, Ateneo responded like champions and won Game Two, 69-66, to force the penultimate Game Three. Through it all, Tamayo and the rest of the Maroons had to practice patience.
“I know these things aren’t handed to you easily. I believe God allowed us to lose Game 2 so we could learn from it and apply it in the final game,” said the 21-year-old.
“After 36 years, we finally got a championship for UP. We feel so blessed.”