Red-hot Carl Tamayo, Changwon one win away from KBL title

Changwon LG Sakers forward Carl Tamayo during the KBL Finals.–Photo from Changwon

MANILA, Philippines — Nothing short of stellar for Changwon in the finals, Carl Tamayo is a win away from becoming a Korean Basketball League (KBL) champion.

Tamayo sustained his fine form, helping the Changwon LG Sakers dominate the Seoul SK Knights, 80-63, in Game 3 of their best-of-seven championship series on Friday at Changwon Gymnasium.

READ: KBL: Carl Tamayo leads Changwon to victory in finals Game 1

The 24-year-old Filipino import delivered 18 points, six rebounds, and a steal as Changwon moved to the cusp of a finals sweep and the 2024-25 KBL title.

Another victory would give the former University of the Philippines star his second championship overseas after winning his first in the B.League with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2023.

The Sakers try to close out the series on Sunday afternoon, where Tamayo tries to become the next Filipino to win a Korean championship since Rhenz Abando with Anyang two years ago.

The Gilas Pilipinas stalwart is averaging 23.0 points in the finals, following his 27-point explosion in Game 2. He had 24 points and 10 rebounds in the opener.

READ: KBL: Carl Tamayo helps Changwon advance to finals

Egyptian import Assem Marei powered Changwon in Game 3 with 20 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, while Yang Junseok added 14 points and eight assists in front of their home crowd.

Juan Gomez De Liaño was limited to two points, two steals, one rebound, and an assist in 15 minutes, following his 19-point effort in Game 2.

Jameel Warney carried the cudgels for Seoul with 18 points and 11 rebounds, as Kim Sun-Hyung had 14.