UAAP: Tamayo, Abadiano Maroons na

INANUNSYO ng University of the Phi­lippines (UP) ang kanilang bagong recruit kahapon na sina Carl Tamayo at Gerry Abadiano ay nagpasya na lilipat sa Fighting Maroons matapos maglaro sa Nazareth School of National University sa high school.
Kinumpirma ni Atty. Agaton Uvero, team manager ng UP Men’s Basketball Team, na si Tamayo a 6-foot-7 big man, at Abadiano, a decorated point guard, ay tatalon sa Diliman ngayon buwan.
“Carl and Gerry will be a big part of our rebuilding efforts,” Wika ni Uvero.
“Six of our players graduated last season, and we have five more players who have just one playing year left,” Dagdag pa nya. “These two talents will help us secure our basketball future. We hope they will be ­model student-athletes of UP.”
Sina Abadiano at Tamayo ay malaking papel ang ginampanan sa Bullpups’ perfect run sa season 82, na si Tamayo ang nahirang na Finals MVP sa kanilang serye kontra Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws.
Sa pagtiklop ng high basketball season, si Tamayo ay ranked second overall sa NBTC 24, habang si Abadiano ay No. 16.
Personal na hinarap ni UP head coach Bo Perasol ang bagong recruits para i-welcome sila sa team.
“We are very happy to have Carl and Gerry in our team,” wika ni Perasol. “Coming straight out of high school, they have five full playing years with the team.”
“They will really be a big boost for our young team, which is again in the process of rebuilding.”
Ang Fighting Maroons, na ginigiyahan nina Kobe Paras at Bright Akhuetie, ay nagtapos na No.2 sa men’s basketball tournament na may 9-5 baraha, Kahit armado ng twice-to-beat advantage, gayunpa­man, ay yumuko sa University of Santo Tomas sa stepladder semifinals.
Sinabi nina Tamayo at Abadiano na gusto nila parehong maging estudyante at atleta.
“Basketball is not forever, so quality edu­cation is very important for us,” paliwanag nya. “If and when our basketball careers end, we want to have a back-up plan to fall back on.”
Maliban kina Tamayo at Abadiano, welcome din ng UP sina Fil-Canadians Miguel Tan, Alonso Tan ng Xavier School at Anton Eusebio, Fil-Australian center Ethan Kirkness, Fil-Am guard Sam Dowd, at Gilas Youth cadet RC Calimag.