Carl Tamayo’s status for Gilas Pilipinas’ return match against South Korea to wrap up the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday, June 20 is still being determined after hurting his ankle in the 76-51 victory over Indonesia.
Tamayo had to leave the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga on a wheelchair after stepping on the foot of Indonesia veteran Arki Wisnu while going for the rebound during the fourth quarter of the game held Friday, June 18.
Coach Tab Baldwin later said Tamayo, who prior to the injury had hit two consecutive threes that put Gilas up 59-38 with over eight minutes to go in the fourth, suffered a grade 1 sprain.
“It’s not overly serious, but he’s in pain,” Baldwin said. “He still feels pain in the ankle so it may be upgraded.”
Asked of Tamayo’s availability for the second meeting with the Philippines’ old rivals, Baldwin said that it would be determined once more details come out.
“I think certainly he won’t be active at all tomorrow, and whether he will be ripe for Sunday, I would say it’s not probable. But till the doctors get me more information, I don’t know,” Baldwin concluded.
Tamayo was one of the key figures in Gilas’ dramatic 81-78 victory over the South Koreans last Wednesday that sealed the country’s place in the Asia Cup in Jakarta this August.
The University of the Philippines recruit had 10 points in that contest before posting six points, four rebounds and two assists against Indonesia prior to the injury.