MANILA, Philippines – Arvin Tolentino’s career in the 81st UAAP men’s basketball tournament was in jeopardy after a series of suspensions for his disqualifying fouls.
In fact, according to UAAP commissioner Junel Baculi, if Tolenitno had committed the same infraction, he will be banned for the rest of the season.
But the former Ateneo forward decided to change himself, particularly his attitude, as a good gesture to FEU management for giving him another chance.
On Wednesday against La Salle, Tolentino rewarded the Tamaraws with the last Final Four seat after hitting the game-winning triple at the top of the key to pull off a 71-70 escape over the Green Archers and face the Blue Eagles in the next round.
He turned emotional in the post-game interview as he revisited on what transpired this season for him.
“I’ve been working hard since I got to FEU. I changed myself, my coaches changed me. I just wanna give everything to FEU,” said Tolentino.
Tolentino’s suspension in the second round was one of the factors why the Tamaraws failed to maintain their top billing after the first round.
He was suspended three games this season due to disqualifying fouls on Adamson’s Sean Manganti and Zach Huang of UST.
But he redeemed himself against the Green Archers, hitting the biggest shot of his career to keep FEU's season alive.
“To be honest, naisip ko yung last year (versus Ateneo in Final Four). I had the chance para makapasok kami sa finals but we blew it. It still haunts me,” he said.
“Yung talaga ang naisip ko when I got the ball, sabi ko never again. Buti na lang answered prayer,” Tolentino added.
Now, the 6-foot-5 shooting forward gets another crack against Ateneo this Sunday. And Tolentino knows they would need a total team effort to slow down the defending champions.