Filipinos clash across Korea, but Carl Tamayo stands tallest in KBL action

Carl Tamayo is no longer just adjusting to Korean basketball—he’s dictating its pace. In a weekend packed with Filipino head-to-head battles across the Korean Basketball League (KBL), the Gilas Pilipinas forward stood tallest, steering the Changwon LG Sakers to solo first place and reminding the league why he arrived with star expectations.

Tamayo delivered the kind of performance that changes standings and conversations. He unloaded 26 points, fueled by five three-pointers, and added four assists, two rebounds, a steal, and a block to carry Changwon to a gritty 78-70 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang. 

The victory not only extended the Sakers’ win streak to three—it pushed them ahead of the pack at 12-4, with Tamayo at the center of their rise.

While the matchup featured two of the KBL’s most popular Filipino imports, their nights could not have been more different. Rhenz Abando, usually a spark for Anyang, was held to four points along with three rebounds, three blocks, and one assist as his squad slipped to 10-6.  

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Carl Tamayo scored 26 points vs. Anyang#kbl pic.twitter.com/4OJIoZQqAz

— 칼타마요#GilasPilipinas (@gilas_mayo) November 16, 2025

In a league where Filipino talents often make the spotlight burn brighter, Sunday’s duel showed how quickly that spotlight can shift.

Tamayo’s weekend dominance was no one-night eruption. A day earlier, he helped trigger Changwon’s upswing with 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists in an 82-67 road win over Suwon KT Sonicboom—a victory that set the stage for Sunday’s takeover. 

Across the court, JD Cagulangan managed four points, two assists, and one steal for Suwon, now at 8-7.

Elsewhere in the capital, another Filipino-filled clash added to the drama of the weekend. Justin Gutang and the Seoul Samsung Thunders edged out Kevin Quiambao’s Goyang Sono Skygunners in a tight 75-72 finish. 

It was a matchup that highlighted the diversity of Filipino skillsets in the league—Gutang’s steady presence on one side, Quiambao’s rising star power on the other.

Arvin Tolentino, meanwhile, had a quiet showing with six points and two rebounds as his team fell to 7-8, underscoring the rollercoaster reality facing Filipino players in a league that grows more competitive by the month.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!