Carl Tamayo left the hallowed courts of the SMART Araneta Coliseum frustrated.
Unlike 220 days ago that saw Tamayo and University of the Philippines stand tall in the middle of the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Fighting Maroons were left distraught as a season once full of promise ended up as second to the same team that they beat, Ateneo de Manila University.
And the 21-year-old Cebuano conceded that the Blue Eagles were just the better team on Monday.
“Ateneo was the better team today,” said Tamayo after their 68-75 defeat that ended their back-to-back hopes.
“They deserved it.”
Tamayo averaged 11.0 points and 5.33 rebounds in the three-game series. But in Game Three, the versatile 6-foot-7 forward tried to will UP back when it faced a huge first quarter deficit.
The sophomore ended up with 11 points and nine rebounds but those numbers were not enough to overcome the overwhelming lead that stunned them at the start.
Now, all eyes are on Tamayo if he will return to UP for Season 86.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, there is one B.League team that is close to signing Tamayo to a two-year deal.
With regards to the numbers, it is said to be “astronomical” according to one of Tiebreaker Times’ sources.
Tamayo though has yet to decide on whether he will return or head abroad.
“I still have three playing years to go so let’s see.”
And in the next few days, the UP faithful will be keeping their fingers crossed, hoping that the ‘King of Diliman’ stays.
