CARL TAMAYO SAVORS ELECTRIC PBA GAME 7 ATMOSPHERE AS A SPECTATOR

GILAS Pilipinas forward and Korean Basketball League (KBL) star Carl Tamayo was among the thousands who braved the heavy rains to witness Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. 

Back in the country for Gilas' buoldup for the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia next month, Tamayo wasn’t missing the chance to witness this titanic clash between two of the most storied franchises in PBA history live at the Big Dome. 

It’s certainly time well spent as not only is he being treated to what’s expected to be another classic, he’s also happy to see the country’s domestic league still thriving on days like this especially with the league facing attendance issues, and consequent ridicule from fans online. 

"Siyempre Ginebra, alam naman natin lahat simula dati pa Ginebra talaga [ang tinatangkilik]. I’m very happy. Sobrang happy ako na nakita kong ganito," Tamayo said. 

"Maraming rumors tungkol sa PBA na walang nanonood, watching it here now nakikita ko, sobrang happy to see it," he added. 

Tamayo was actually with some of the protagonists playing in this game not long ago. 

He was with San Miguel’s CJ Perez and Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario and Japeth Aguilar as Gilas started its training at the Upper Deck gym in Mandaluyong last Monday. 

That’s why when pressed about who he’s rooting for in this game, the 24-year-old kept his cards to his chest. 

"Both teams may mga kuya ako e. I don’t know. Either way, I support them so hopefully matapos ang series na healthy ang lahat," he said. 

What he can say for certain is that he’s never closing his doors on playing in the PBA as it’s not a matter of if, but when for him. 

"Siyempre, it’s still one of my dreams to play in the PBA," he said. "Simula nung bata pa ako. Hopefully one of these days I’ll be able to play in the PBA."

2025-07-09T14:15:15Z