From winning a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games to having a breakout season in the Philippine Basketball Association, Year 2023 is indeed a banner year for Arvin Tolentino.
Not only is the 6-foot-5 NorthPort gunner getting the right breaks, but he is also making the most out of all those opportunities presented to him.
Several times Tolentino would make himself available to attend the training sessions of the national pool beginning the window tournaments last year and a lot of times, he would find himself being cut out for the final roster.
But he kept on pursuing his dreams of becoming a part of Gilas Pilipinas and finally in May this year, he got the privilege of being called up to be part of the “Redeem Team” for the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.
A year ago, Gilas became the subject of criticism when they lost the gold medal for the first time since 1989. But the motivation of getting back the title and regaining supremacy made Tolentino and the shorthanded Filipino quintet extra determined to win it back for the country.
In the end, they went home triumphant.
In the 19th Asian Games in China, just about a month after Gilas competed in the FIBA World Cup, Tolentino’s name was once again called and he was able to help in the Filipinos’ dramatic gold medal feat that ended their 61-year title drought.
Slowly but surely, Tolentino’s desire in making himself always available to play for flag and country had benefited his game a bit more and it manifested in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup where he now emerged as the top local scorer.
After nine games in the elimination round, Tolentino has posted averages of 23.22 points, including a 35 percent shooting from beyond the arc while collaring nearly six rebounds per game.
His size and athleticism have made him perfect to play the wing position, which would also allow him to defend smaller imports. But more than anything else, his new role has allowed him to become the newest go-to-guy of the Batang Pier.
Robert Bolick returned to the PBA, but was shipped by NorthPort to NLEX in a multi-player, three-team deal, paving the way for the emergence of Tolentino as the top local producer.
With Tolentino in charge, the Batang Pier’s youth movement has been in full display ahead of the playoffs.
One more win and the Batang Pier would crack the playoffs as they are currently at the No. 6 spot with a 5-4 win-loss record.
They have enough time to recharge their bodies as their next game will be on 5 January next year against lowly Blackwater, which just lost eight in a row. The Batang Pier will wrap up their elimination round schedule against defending champion Barangay Ginebra on 7 January.
Tolentino could reload his guns for the final stretch of the competition and if he can stay sharp as ever, there’s no stopping his road to stardom.
His star is now beginning to shine.
