CARL Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and Kevin Quiambao must have endured sleepless nights before deciding to pack their bags and leave Nazareth School of National University.
Facing tough decisions, they turned to their families.
“Mahirap din iyong decision sa akin kasi marami rin namang opportunity na pumupunta sa akin, pero siguro iyon din, family choice and inisip lang din naman nila iyong best for me so naisip namin ang UP,” Tamayo said in The Prospects pod presented by Smart Sports and supported by Chris Sports.
“For me, sobrang hirap kasi like noong other players na pumunta sa college, graduating, ‘di ba mahirap mag-decide ng basta-basta lang,” added Abadiano. “Kailangan pag-isipan and nandiyan iyong parents ko, iyong family ko para humingi ako advice, guidance, kung anong school iyong maganda sa akin and iyon, natulungan naman nila ako and iyong napili nilang school for me.”
The 6-foot-7 Tamayo, a center, and the 6-foot guard Abadiano moved to University of the Philippines, while the 6-foot-8 Quiambao, a center, opted to transfer to La Salle in a shocking turn of events last Aug. 1.
The three Bullpups standouts were seen as future vital cogs for the National University Bulldogs in seniors’ play.
“Tulad nga ng sabi ni Gerry, napili ko itong school na ito (La Salle) dahil family’s decision na iyong suporta ng family ko sa akin. Iyon ang naging factor kasi simula pagkabata ko, kumbaga parang soldier ako sa kanila, susundin ko lang kung ano iyong nasa puso ko and nasa puso rin nila,” explained Quiambao.
Tamayo was named finals MVP after leading the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored NSNU five to its second straight title via a 16-0 season sweep in the last UAAP juniors’ cage wars, while Quiambao was runner-up to Adamson High School’s John Figueroa in the MVP race.
Both Gilas Pilipinas Youth cagers, Tamayo and Quiambao will boost the Fighting Maroons, but they know it will take a lot of doing.
UP is expected to rely on star forward Kobe Paras, former MVP Bright Akhuetie, and wingman Ricci Rivero in the 83rd UAAP basketball tournament.
“Sa akin siguro hindi magiging madali lahat as a rookie siyempre hindi porket ginagamit ka sa high school o malaki iyong playing time mo, same din iyong gagawin sa’yo sa college.
Iba naman ang usapan sa college ‘di ba?” posed Abadiano.
“Siguro as a rookie, siguro I will try to learn more sa collegiate basketball. Siguro process lang kasi ang daming nagsasabi sa akin na iba naman ang laro sa college at sa high school.
Iba iyong pisikalan, iba iyong mindset mo sa laro so iyon siguro dapat mag-learn ako ng marami so the next year iba naman iyong ile-learn ko sa next year ko after the rookie year,” said Tamayo.
