In their first-ever professional basketball showdown, Carl Tamayo and Changwon LG claimed a gritty 78-70 victory over former University of the Philippines teammate JD Cagulangan and Suwon KT on Monday at the Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena in the 2024-25 KBL season.
Tamayo had been on a scoring tear with consecutive 30-point games. This time, though, he saw himself held to a modest eight points on 4-of-15 shooting.
He also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Despite his struggles, Tamayo stepped up in the clutch, leading the Sakers’ decisive fourth-quarter surge that overcame Suwon KT’s late-game rally.
Cagulangan, in only his second KBL appearance, tallied nine points, three assists, and one rebound in a valiant effort to keep the Sonicboom competitive.
Changwon LG began the final period with a narrow 60-56 lead but quickly extended it to a 70-60 cushion with 5:35 remaining, seemingly taking control of the contest.
However, Suwon KT responded with a 10-6 run – capped by a driving layup from Cagulangan that cut the deficit to six, 76-70, with just 1:37 left on the clock.
Tamayo, fittingly, had the final say.
The 6-foot-8 stretch forward delivered a dagger fadeaway jumper from the baseline with 1:21 remaining, sealing the Sonicboom’s fate and putting the Sakers up 78-70, a lead they would not relinquish.
The win proved crucial for Changwon LG’s playoff aspirations, solidifying their hold on fourth place with a 16-13 record and creating much-needed separation from fifth-placed Suwon KT, who fell to 15-13.
At Busan Sajik Gymnasium, Busan KCC’s Calvin Epistola was sidelined in what could have been a highly anticipated matchup against Justin Gutang and the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Gutang helped lead the Thunders to an 81-69 victory, their fourth straight win, with a well-rounded performance of 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, six rebounds, and three assists.
The win improved Seoul’s record to 11-17, just one game behind seventh-placed Busan KCC, who hold a 12-17 card.
