Allen Durham is looking forward to seeing what Carl Tamayo can bring to Ryukyu after being vouched for by no less than his Gilas Pilipinas teammates.
The three-time PBA Best Import said that both the Ravena Bros. have told him how much of an asset the University of the Philippines product can be now that he’s set to become the latest Filipino to play in the Japan B.League.
Tamayo was formally introduced Thursday, and will make his league debut as the Golden Kings’ second-ever Asian import on March 8 versus Kai Sotto and Hiroshima.
“I talked to him briefly yesterday,” said Durham of Tamayo. “Haven’t got the chance to really get into a deep conversation with him.
“But I hear a lot of good things about him, you know, from Kiefer and Thirdy, that he’s gonna be a real asset to the team. I’m excited to see what he brings to our team,” added the 34-year-old, who started his Japan stint in 2019.
Durham is currently in Manila as the B.League is in the midst of its FIBA break, and watched from ringside his former team Meralco take on TNT in a Governors’ Cup affair at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Friday.
“The Japan national team is out playing and stuff so I wanted to come back and see my guys, spend a little time with my guys. It’s been a long time since I met them. So I just wanted to come here for a little vacation,” he said.
His time here, of course, also meant reuniting with his Bolts brothers, who, unfortunately, fell short against the Tropang Giga, 111-104.
“Being here for so long, you build a brotherhood not only with the guys with Meralco, but guys with other teams and stuff like that. Seeing all the guys was good, to kinda catch up with them and see how they were doing,” he said.
Durham also had the chance to catch-up with on-court rival Justin Brownlee before Ginebra’s match with San Miguel Beer.
“Yea. We talked for a little bit. I mean, it’s all love with Brownlee,” he said. “You know, as a competitor, you always want to play against the best, and he’s the best. I got nothing but respect for him, for sure.”
Durham last played in the PBA in January 19, 2020, when Meralco once again fell to the Kings in Game 5 of the Governors’ Cup Finals. Asked about a possible comeback, the Michigan native is never closing his doors.
“I got some time on my contract in Japan. PBA is like my second home, the Philippines is like my second home, so you’ll never know,” he said.
For now, though, Durham is looking forward to facing another PBA team again, as Ryukyu is bound for a collision course with SMB in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champion Week on March 1-5 in Okinawa.
“That’s gotta be exciting to play against the guys that, you know, I played against so much in the PBA,” he said.
“I’m excited about that matchup.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
