“It’s not about me vs. Quiambao — it’s about the team.”

CHANGWON, South Korea — The KBL semifinal playoffs series between the Changwon LG and the Goyang Sono tipped off April 23, but the spotlight quickly shifted to a familiar storyline.

Two 2001-born Filipino standouts — Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao — meeting again, this time on the playoffs stage.

Tamayo, however, wasn’t interested in framing it as a personal duel.

“This isn’t about Quiambao and me,” Tamayo said. “We’re playing as a team, and I’m focused on doing everything I can within that.”

Heading into his second playoffs appearance, Tamayo emphasized both gratitude and perspective.

“I’m thankful to be here,” he said. “The playoffs are something special — something you should enjoy. But at the same time, they’re important games, so I’ll do everything I can to win.”

While much of the attention has centered on his matchup with Quiambao — who helped the Sono Skygunners into the semifinals — Tamayo kept his message consistent.

“No matter who we play, it’s about competing as a team and doing our best to get the win,” he said.

Tamayo’s preparation for the series started slightly behind schedule after a minor injury late in the regular season, delaying his playoffs buildup by a couple of days. Still, he expressed confidence in his condition.

“There were a lot of reasons my performance dipped late in the season, but I’m not making excuses,” he said. “I’ve had two good weeks of preparation, and I feel ready.”

The LG, coming off its first championship in franchise history last season, is aiming to repeat.

Tamayo, who played a key role in that title run, highlighted his responsibilities — especially on defense.

“Our coach emphasizes defense a lot and gives me a big role there,” Tamayo said. “I’ll do my best to help the team on that end, and also contribute offensively through team basketball.”

Head coach Cho Sang-hyun has consistently stressed that Tamayo’s value isn’t tied solely to scoring — that even when shots aren’t falling, he must impact the game in other ways.

The LG needs seven more wins to secure back-to-back titles, but Tamayo isn’t looking that far ahead.

“It’s too early to think about a championship,” he said. “Right now, we’re focused on this series. After that, we’ll think about the next one.”

What excites him most is the intensity.

“Playoffs are always competitive, and I like that,” he said. “We’ll prepare well and try to play a good game.”

But despite the mindset, LG’s start to the series fell short.

The Sono took Game 1, 69-63, behind a late push, with Quiambao playing a key role. Tamayo finished with 19 points and five rebounds in the loss.

There is also concern on the other side.

Quiambao, despite the win, suffered a knee injury late in the game, and his status remains uncertain. As of 9 a.m. on April 24, no official diagnosis had been announced.

From their school days to the professional stage, Tamayo and Quiambao have built a competitive history.

Now, the focus shifts to whether both can return to the court for Game 2 — and continue that rivalry.

Game 2 is set for April 25 in Changwon.

 

By Jaebeom Lee | Photos by Bok-ju Moon
This translation was reviewed with the assistance of AI.

 

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