After Carl Tamayo's departure last year, the Ryukyu Golden Kings remain open to having another Filipino player join their B.LEAGUE roster in the near future.
MACAU—It’s been some time since the Ryukyu Golden Kings had a Filipino Asian Quota import on their B.LEAGUE roster.
The Golden Kings had previously signed promising forward Carl Tamayo right out of the UP Fighting Maroons, but due to limited playing time, the Gilas Pilipinas stalwart headed to Korea instead. Ryukyu also earlier tapped PBA veteran Jay Washington.
With the B.LEAGUE constantly evolving its rules, the possibility of another Filipino talent suiting up for the Okinawa-based squad remains high, according to Ryukyu associate head coach Norio Sassa.
"For sure. Any time, our coach Dai [Oketani] always tries to fit in a lot of players, and any Philippine player could have a chance to play," Sassa told One Sports at the EASL Final Four 2025 in Studio City here.
"The B.LEAGUE is right now changing the rules a lot. I hope, like again, Ryukyu, a Filipino player comes again and joins us."
With Japan’s professional basketball scene recognizing the skill and competitiveness of Filipino players, another opportunity for a PBA standout or a young prospect to join the team could be on the horizon.
Although for the Golden Kings specifically, that might have to wait as Ryukyu currently has naturalized center Alex Kirk in the lineup. Per the current B.LEAGUE rules, teams can have a naturalized player or an Asian Quota Player, in addition to up to three world imports.
Currently, there are eight Filipino players in Japan across the two divisions, namely Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, AJ Edu, Kiefer Ravena, Roosevelt Adams, and Geo Chiu.
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Meanwhile, Sassa also reflected on Ryukyu’s experience competing against PBA teams, particularly the Meralco Bolts in the EASL.
While both games were handled quite easily by the Golden Kings this season, the Japanese tactician acknowledged that their matchups were not at full strength, as the Bolts dealt with injury to their main import, especially in the second outing.
Meralco was without import Akil Mitchell when the Bolts hosted Ryukyu in Manila, who had been dealing with back spams.
But more than just the game, from a scouting standpoint, Sassa was intrigued by the PBA’s introduction of a 4-point line.
"The last time when we played the Meralco Bolts, one of the imports was injured, and I think it wasn’t like the best situation," Sassa noted.
"It’s kind of really hard. We only played two games against the Bolts this season, but still, watching the games from a scouting point, I think the 4-point play… I actually want to ask about that—how the players see it."
The reception with the 4-point line has been mixed among players and coaches, both local and international.
[ALSO READ: Why are Japan B.League stars Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and AJ Edu against the PBA’s 4-point shot?]
While, Sassa didn't provide a definitive opinion, he expressed curiosity about how Filipino fans and players perceive its impact on the game.
"It is interesting. I don’t have an answer right now, but I would like to hear the opinion from all the Filipino people," he added.