KBL: Carl Tamayo explodes for 31 as Changwon topples Seoul

Filipino forward Carl Tamayo scored 31 points to lead the Changwon LG Sakers to an 83–70 victory over the struggling Seoul Samsung Thunders in a Korean Basketball League (KBL) regular-season matchup at Changwon Gymnasium.

Tamayo, who has been one of the most consistent performers for the defending KBL champions this season, tallied 31 points, just six shy of his career high, against a Thunders squad that has had difficulty closing out games this season.

The LG Sakers set the tone early and maintained control in all four quarters, refusing to let Seoul regain momentum at any point. 

Changwon improved to 21–8 with the win, keeping pace near the top of the league standings and strengthening their claim as one of the league’s elite teams. This victory also marked their third win in four outings.

Aside Tamayo’s offensive explosion, Changwon received important contributions from veteran big man Assem Marei, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. 

Marei also chipped in four assists and a steal, providing a balanced effort that complemented Tamayo’s scoring.

For Seoul, the game continued a troubling skid as the Thunders suffered their eighth consecutive loss, leaving them at 9–20 on the season. 

Filipino reinforcement Justin Gutang struggled to find his rhythm in Changwon, finishing with just three points in more than 28 minutes of action, along with two rebounds and five assists.

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Pag talaga Samsung kalaban ganda ng statistics ni Carl🙌#kbl #Carl_Tamayo
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— 🇵🇭3️⃣3️⃣칼타마요🏀#GilasPilipinas❤️‍🔥🇵🇭 (@gilas_mayo) January 7, 2026

The only bright spot for Seoul was forward Kerem Kanter, who finished with 40 points and 13 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to keep the Thunders competitive in the late stages of the game.

Tamayo’s performance continues a pattern of high-level play for the Filipino star in Korea, where he has regularly been among Changwon’s top scorers this season. 

His ability to score both inside and from the perimeter has made him one of the focal points of the Sakers’ attack as they pursue another deep run in the KBL.

With the win, Changwon looks to capitalize on its momentum heading into the second half of the season, while Seoul will need to regroup quickly if it hopes to reverse its fortunes and climb back into playoff contention.

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