By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Carl Tamayo has left the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons after just two UAAP Seasons as he decides to play professionally in the Japan B.League.

In a lengthy Instagram post yesterday, the Cebuano big man announced his decision to leave UP, where he won a UAAP championship and a runner-up finish.

“Becoming a professional basketball player is a dream I ever had since I started playing organized basketball. It will allow me to take care of my family while playing the game that I love,” Tamayo said.

Tamayo also went on to thank his coaches in UP, led by head coach Goldwyn Monteverde, as well as the UP community for their support in his brief stint with the Maroons.

“Whatever colors I wear in the years to come, my heart will always bleed maroon,” Tamayo concluded, who was one of the key players of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.

However, it was not yet stated which Japan B.League Tamayo will play for, whether it is in the league’s Division 1 or 2.

The Fighting Maroons, in a separate statement, thanked Tamayo for the two seasons he played for UP and for helping the school end its long UAAP championship drought last year.

“Carl is certainly a special talent. He received offers from abroad even before he played his first collegiate game,” UP said.

“Players from high school now are older and much more mature with some of these almost ready for the pros,” it added.

“While his first UAAP season in 2019 was cancelled, he was able to play for two UAAP seasons. As much as we want him to play even for one more season, we truly understand and support his decision,” the team said.

“Professional basketball is not a lifetime career. We wish him the best of luck and we will pray for greater success. The UP community will always cherish the memories of Season 84 and 85,” the team concluded./ASC, WDJ