During the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao — two players seen as key pillars of the Gilas Pilipinas program alongside Kai Sotto — saw limited action.
Across six games during the first three windows, Tamayo averaged just 10.7 minutes per contest. Meanwhile, Quiambao — who logged an average of 16.1 minutes — was left benched in two outings.
But with Sotto ruled out of the upcoming continental tournament, scheduled from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Gilas head coach Tim Cone is expecting more from both forwards.
“I’ve talked to Carl and Kevin, and everyone is excited to get back into it. I also think it’s fair to expect Carl and Kevin to play bigger roles this time,” Cone said following Ginebra’s narrow 101-99 victory over Blackwater in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday.
Both players have significantly grown in the Korean Basketball League.
(C) KBL
Quiambao, in his rookie season with Goyang Sono, averaged 16.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals across 23 games.
Tamayo, meanwhile, was a crucial part of Changwon LG’s championship campaign, posting 15.2 points on 45.7% shooting from the field, 30.2% from beyond the arc, and 68.7% from the free-throw line. He also had 6.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
“They’ve grown a lot, and that’s the benefit of bringing them in young and letting them mature through the program,” Cone noted.
Although Sotto will miss the Asia Cup due to the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in the B.League last January, the 7-foot-3 big man will still travel with the team to Saudi Arabia.
(C) B.League
“We’re not going to rush Kai back into the lineup. He’s a long-term piece for the national team. I fully expect him to still be playing for the Philippines when he’s 35. That’s the bigger picture here,” said Cone.
“Even long after I’m gone, I expect him to be playing at the highest level. So we’ll make sure he’s 100% — or even 1,000% — before he gets back on the court. That might take longer than we hope, but it’s what’s best for him and the team,” the PBA’s winningest coach added.
“We’re just really pleased he’ll be in Jeddah with us. That continuity and camaraderie matter.”
#WATCH: Gilas head coach Tim Cone gives the latest on the national team FIBA #AsiaCup 2025 draws near 🇵🇭🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#LabanPilipinas #PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/nSsGtbqffg
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 23, 2025
