Gilas Pilipinas after the game vs Serbia in the Fiba Olympic qualifiers. FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Bo Perasol, the University of the Philippines men’s basketball program director, said the team’s coaching staff did not allow big man Carl Tamayo for the February window of the 2023 Fiba World Cup qualifiers.
The former Fighting Maroons head coach added that Tamayo, who will play in his first collegiate season, was tasked to focus on the UAAP as the team is rushing its preparations for Season 84.
“He wasn’t allowed by the coaching staff because they don’t have enough time for their UAAP preparations,” said Perasol.
The 6-foot-7 Tamayo made his Gilas Pilipinas debut in the last window where he averaged 8.0 points and 2.5 rebounds across two games.
The former National University high school standout is also under strict bubble protocols that the Commission on Higher Education implemented for varsity teams.
“Yes, he’s focused right now on the UAAP,” said Perasol.
Another collegiate star who won’t suit up for Gilas in February is De La Salle’s Justine Baltazar.
Nevertheless, the national team still has 6-foot-11 Ange Kouame and Will Navarro to man the front court along with bigs from Chot Reyes’ PBA club TNT.