Carl Tamayo has solid case to win MVP as KBL enters halfway mark

January 5 ------ CAN Carl Tamayo become the first homegrown Filipino to win the MVP honors in the Korean Basketball League? That may become a reality if the Gilas Pilipinas stud continues his fine form in the Land of the Morning Calm.

Tamayo has spearheaded the league-leading Changwon LG Sakers to a 20-7 win-loss record at the halfway point of the ongoing tourney and has been commanding in doing so, averaging 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. That was the case on Friday when Changwon comfortably cruised to an 80-62 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium where Tamayo picked his spots yet still ended up with nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

If he achieves this, the former University of the Philippines standout will add another trophy to his collection which already includes a KBL title he won last year with the Sakers. Tamayo also has the chance to become only the second Asian import to claim the top individual plum after Fil-Am guard Ethan Alvano, who won the hardware in 2024. Still, the ultimate goal is repeating, one that the Sakers are intending to do in this back-to-back bid. But it's not going to be easy, especially with fellow Pinoy imports also playing at their best.

Rhenz Abando, back from a one-year hiatus, is powering the redemption drive for the second-seed Anyang Jung Kwan Jang, trotting an 18-9 card, as he currently nets 9.9 points. 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 blocks. Fellow Gilas stud Kevin Quiambao has also sustained his groove in his second year in Korea, notching 14.7 points on 30-percent clip from deep, to go with 6.9 boards, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals to lead the Goyang Sono Skygunners to a 10-17 record.

Alvano, for his part, remains at the peak of his powers collecting 19.1 points on 43-percent three-pont shooting, 6.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals for the third ranked Wonju DB Promy (17-10). Pioneer SJ Belangel is also doing his best to keep the cellar-dwelling Daegu KOGAS Pegasus (8-19) in the thick of things as he nabs 15.1 points on 31-percent shooting from rainbow country, alongside 4.3 assists, 2.8 boards, and 1.5 steals.

JD Cagulangan has also carved his niche as a reliable court general for Suwon KT Sonicboom, which holds a 13-14 slate, as he got 8.2 points, 2.9 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, while Justin Gutang has earned his place as a dependable role player at the wings for Seoul Samsung Thunders (9-18) with his 8.1 points, 3.9 boards, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 steals in 25 games.

Even the newcomers have slowly gotten their rhythm in Korea. Arvin Tolentino has recaptured his touch and has averaged 9.6 points on 38-percent shooting from distance, to go with 2.7 rebounds for the Seoul SK Knights (15-12), while William Navarro overcame a slow start and has scored in double figures in six of his last seven games as he now averages 5.6 points 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists for the Busan KCC Egis (16-11). Of course, the struggling Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus (9-18) are awaiting the arrival of much anticipated National U forward Jake Figueroa who is poised to begin his pro career pending his Korean visa making the second half of the KBL season that more exciting.

Source: spin.ph