Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

HOOPS

Carl Tamayo shrugs off MVP talks

SOCIAL MEDIA

Winning individual accolades is the least of University of the Philippines forward Carl Tamayo’s concerns.

Like the rest of the Fighting Maroons, Tamayo is focused on the bigger picture of defending their title when Season 85 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament unwraps on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 21-year-old sophomore shunned early talks of being a top favorite for the Most Valuable Player award alongside naturalized player Ange Kouame of Ateneo de Manila University.

Tamayo and Kouame were the top names that coaches mentioned when asked who they think will win the top individual award during the tournament press conference last Wednesday.

But winning the MVP crown is the last thing on Tamayo’s mind.

“It’s not on my mind. I didn’t come here in the UAAP to aspire for individual awards,” Tamayo, a Gilas Pilipinas standout and the Rookie of the Year in Season 84, said.

Tamayo said he does not want MVP talks to distract him from his goal of helping the Fighting Maroons retain the hard-earned title they won in three games at the expense of the Blue Eagles four months ago that snapped their 36-year championship drought.

“It’s all about the team first, I think,” the Season 84 Mythical Team member said.

“I’m just going to work hard, play hard. Help the team win the games and whatever the outcome is, I’ll be happy.”

Tamayo added that the Fighting Maroons right now already have a huge target on their backs, so he does not want to be pressured even more by eyeing other recognitions other than being called champions once again.

“We know what it takes to be champions. The hard work we put in during the bubble. The sacrifices we made. We’ve seen the work we had to do to win the title,” he said.

“The pressure will always be there. We’ve prepared so hard. We trained hard for this season to take the pressure out. We are prepared for war.”

The Fighting Maroons will open their title-retention bid against De La Salle University.

Tamayo along with holdovers JD Cagulangan, Finals MVP Malick Diouf and forward Zavier Lucero will be back to carry the fight for UP.

“This is not about me, it’s about us – all 16 of us who will play this season,” he said.

“I’ll fulfill the role coach Goldwin (Monteverde) wants me to play on the team whether it’s rebounding or defense. I’ll do it.”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

SPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIAManny Pacquiao knows his time is up. This was the keen observation made by a longtime member of his training team who spent...

ESPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIAThe dynamic duo of Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna and Danerie James “Wise” del Rosario is back with a bang after leading Blacklist International to...

SPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIAThe University Athletic Association of the Philippines will have a full calendar of sports events for Season 85 starting 1 October. UAAP President...

ESPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIAECHO has revealed its roster for the upcoming M4 Mobile Legends World Championship to be held 1-15 January 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The...

SPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIAIt’s going to be business as usual as the Philippine Basketball Association will not stop its on-court activities when it gives way for...

SPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIAIt doesn’t look as if newly-crowned Melvin Jerusalem will get the luxury of defending his minimumweight crown against a handpicked rival after the...

SPORTS

Mitchell, meanwhile, is a six-foot shooting guard frowm Hartford University.

SPORTS

SOCIAL MEDIALegendary boxing referee Carlos ‘Sonny’ Padilla was recently inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Famous for serving as the third man...

Copyright © DAILY TRIBUNE