Cone says Carl Tamayo out 4-6 weeks with Grade 2 ankle sprain

Gilas Pilipinas’ Carl Tamayo suffers a sprained ankle during a game vs Jordan in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The severity of Carl Tamayo’s ankle injury left coach Tim Cone with no choice but to rule him out in Gilas Pilipinas’ 68-56 win over Iran to close out the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Cone said Tamayo will miss four to six weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain, which he sustained during Gilas’ overtime win over Jordan last Friday.

READ: Carl Tamayo out, Justin Arana in for Gilas Pilipinas vs Iran

“I’m sure his team from Korea is not really happy,” Cone said, referring to the Changwon LG Sakers of the Korean Basketball League where Tamayo plays.

“But those things happen. He’s young and he’ll recover easily,” he added.

Gilas made a late decision to scratch Tamayo in lieu of Justin Arana, who is the newest member of the pool.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas beats Iran in key duel to sweep Fiba fourth window

Arana didn’t see action against Iran, and his Gilas debut will be a little further.

Cone opted instead to give some minutes to the retiring June Mar Fajardo, whose inspiring presence had a hand in the comeback.

“We’re hoping [Carl] could get through it,” said Cone. “But even after extensive therapy, he had a hard time putting pressure on his foot, and we made the decision late last night (Saturday) that we’ll put Justin in.”