Carl Tamayo 'blessed' to have Coach Tim Cone as mentor

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone and Carl Tamayo. Photos by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino basketball fans on Sunday were witnesses to Carl Tamayo's best game so far in a Gilas Pilipinas jersey.

Tamayo was at the forefront of Gilas' demolition of Hong Kong, 93-54, on Sunday at a jampacked Mall of Asia Arena to sweep the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The 23-year-old Changwon LG import dropped 16 points, leading all scorers, and gathered five rebounds.

And he could not have done it without the guidance of the elders, especially national team head coach Tim Cone—and he knows it.

READ: Kevin Quiambao proves he's always ready to play for Gilas

In an interview after the game, Tamayo expressed gratitude to Cone, saying he was "blessed" to have the winningest coach in the PBA to guide him.

"I'm very blessed to have Coach Tim [Cone] as my coach sa national team. He's guiding me for improvement as a player," said Tamayo.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas always had heart — but it now has the height and might to back it up

"He always talks to me, what should I adjust, especially sa game ko. Especially being more mature, being more relaxed in the game. That's the thing na lagi niyang sinasabi sa 'kin which I'm trying to improve on."

Tamayo also thanked the fans who showed up for them, serving as the "sixth man" of the team.

"Sa lahat ng kababayan namin na sumuporta sa 'min, maraming, maraming salamat po. Sobrang laking bagay po sa amin na nakikita kayo na sumusuporta sa amin."

RELATED VIDEO: