Marc Pingris sees promising future for Gilas youngster Carl Tamayo

This early, Marc Pingris can already tell that Carl Tamayo is headed towards something great.

Pingris, a former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, stressed that the Tamayo, who's currently representing the Philippines, has all the potential to be a dominant player not only in the professional ranks but more so on the international stage.

Tamayo has been a revelation for the nationals in the ongoing final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga.

The 6-foot-7 Tamayo chalked up 10 points in the Philippines' dramatic 81-78 win over arch-rival South Korea last Wednesday while putting up six markers, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the 76-51 blowout of Indonesia last Friday.

But more than his contributions seen on paper, Pingris was particularly impressed on how the University of the Philippines-commit is moving inside the hardwood.

"He has the footwork and he has the moves," Pingris told GMA News Online.

"I'm sure he'll become a problem for other teams once he sets foot in the PBA. He'll become a dominant player someday."

But Tamayo's impressive showing was cut short, no thanks to an injury.

He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain and was not active in the 12-man roster that will play South Korea in a rematch today at 3 p.m.

Nonetheless, Pingris said Tamayo has a bright future ahead of him and with the guidance of Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin, he could really blossom as a player.

"There's really a high chance that he will be a best player in the future as long as he's with a great coach like coach Tab," Pingris, who recently retired from the PBA, added.

"And I know coach Tab can really teach him more as they continue with the program. Actually, I'm excited to see him play in the PBA."

—JMB, GMA News