MANILA, Philippines–If there was anything that stood out for Carl Tamayo in his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup, it was his resiliency on the big stage.

University of the Philippines athletic director Bo Perasol praised Tamayo for earning his stripes despite a rocky start in his professional career overseas.

READ: Carl Tamayo excited to flaunt added experience for Gilas

“It wasn’t a given. It’s not something that you know he’ll make. He really worked hard for it. Remember when he went to Japan first? He wasn’t used there,” said Perasol in a phone call with the Inquirer.

“When he left UP and asked permission to leave after just two years, we knew that he was still young but right after his Japan trip, he went to Korea and he really worked. You can see [it in] his actual performance.”

Perasol was spot on about Tamayo’s growing pains abroad.

READ: Carl Tamayo makes history with LG Sakers’ first KBL title

Tamayo won the Japanese B.League title with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, but his role in that championship run was limited. It was in the Korean Basketball League where the State U product truly came into his own.

The same aggressiveness he displayed with the Changwon LG Sakers in their championship campaign was evident for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup.

And Persasol knew it was coming.

“It was just a matter of time before he showed it to the international scene. He’s one of the guys we need, the young ones like him, KQ (Kevin Quiambao), AJ Edu and Kai (Sotto), they’re  our future.”

Tamayo made the most for Gilas despite playing just 7.7 minutes across five games. He scored 17 points for the Philippines in their quarterfinals run in the Asia Cup.