UNLIKE OTHER athletes who learned their sport when they were kids, the six foot five Blue Eagle rookie Arvin Tolentino only held a basketball when he was 12 years old. Although he was a fan of the National Basketball Association, he never intended to play the sport until his father’s friend, Alan Mayemban, offered to train him the summer before going to high school.
Mayemban was a former player of the Trinity University of Asia (formerly Trinity College of Quezon City) and a coach at Tolentino’s school, Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School. Without hesitation, Tolentino, together with his family, decided he would take the opportunity to enter competitive basketball.
For three months, Tolentino tirelessly trained, from the basic drills to the more complex techniques. He eventually became part of his high school’s varsity—doubling his practice time, which contributed to his fast-paced growth as an athlete.
However, things weren’t easy and smooth for Tolentino. Amidst the difficult and abrupt lifestyle change brought about the sport, there came a point when he wanted to give up. Tolentino then put forth his main motivation to counter the negativity.
“My number one inspiration is my family because we’re not rich. My scholarship was a big help to my family. They were also the ones that pushed me to continue during the time I didn’t want to play anymore,” Tolentino admits in a mix of English and Filipino.
Not long after, Tolentino played for Team Antipolo in the Seaoil National Basketball Training Center. This basketball stint earned him offers from different high schools, which led him to play for the San Beda Red Cubs. In his stay and two years of being the team captain, Tolentino bagged three straight National College Athletic Association championships—marking the fifth consecutive for the Red Cubs.
Last January 18, nearing the end of his penultimate year in San Beda, the multi-awarded recruit then formally announced his decision to don the blue and white on Twitter.
When asked about his strengths and contributions to the team as a rookie, he swiftly answered, “Play smart.” For him, hard work is nothing without thinking. An integral attitude with his mind set is his being a team player.
Tolentino adds in a mix of English and Filipino, “I don’t care if I score two, four [points], as long as we’re ahead or we’re winning. I don’t care for myself. I just want the team to win.”
However, coming from an offensive-dominant team in high school, Tolentino admits that he has to improve his defensive skills. He believes that the team with the best defense is the best team.
More importantly, for the young power player, no lucky charms or rituals are needed to improve his performance; he only needs focus and sheer faith, and a personal prayer before every game.
Tolentino also sees to it that he makes time to not only bond with his family and friends but also with his teammates. “Minsan, naiingit din kami sa normal students, ‘Uy, lumalabas sila’ (Sometimes, we get jealous of the normal students and think, ‘Hey, they get to go out’)” says Tolentino, “Pero masaya na kami na sama-sama kami [ng mga] teammates ko (But my teammates and I get are happy that we get to stay together).”
Just beginning his first year as a Blue Eagle, Tolentino is already looking forward to all the challenges that may come—hoping to notch at least two or three championships with the team in his run in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Tolentino further wishes for a basketball career in the future, hoping to accomplish his three ultimate goals: Play in the Philippine Basketball Association, play for the Philippine Team in the Olympics and bring glory to his country.
For this rising star, basketball is not just a sport: It was and is his ticket to getting a good education, helping his family and helping him achieve his dreams.
As Tolentino puts it, “Minahal ko ang basketball, minahal din ako nito.”
