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Tamayo, Sakers win first-ever KBL title, deny Knights

Sports

Tamayo, Sakers win first-ever KBL title, deny Knights

By Mark Rey Montejo

At A Glance

Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers rediscovered how to win again and tripped the Seoul SK Knights in Game 7, 62-58, to rule the 2025 Korean Basketball League (KBL) Finals Saturday, May 17.

Carl Tamayo becomes the second Filipino cager to win a KBL title. (KBL)

Carl Tamayo becomes the second Filipino cager to win a KBL title. (KBL)

Not this time.

Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers rediscovered how to win again and tripped the Seoul SK Knights in Game 7, 62-58, to rule the 2025 Korean Basketball League (KBL) Finals Saturday, May 17.

As both teams struggled offensively, the Sakers made a great effort in the payoff period where they managed to pull away for good, 55-45.

It was Changwon’s first championship trophy since the tournament’s inauguration in 1997.

Changwon also buried its heartbreaks in the past after losing twice in 2001 and 2014 to Suwon and Ulsan, respectively, and as well frustrating Seoul which came from a 0-3 deficit in their best-of-seven title series.

Tamayo, for his part, made himself as the second Filipino cager to win a title on Korean soil, following the footsteps of Rhenz Abando, who achieved the feat with the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters two years ago.

The Talisay, Cebu native bagged his third ring in three different leagues, the first was his stint with University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 84 (2022). His second one was with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the same year.

Despite being fouled out, the 24-year-old versatile forward impressed when it mattered the most, listing a double-double performance of 12 points and 10 rebounds with two assists and two steals in 35 minutes of action.

Heo Il-Young, who posted 14 points on top of five rebounds, earned the Finals Most Valuable Player award.

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