SMART CLARK GIGA CITY— A freshman with practically no experience in the pro league’s grandest stage, Arvin Tolentino never expected to be put in the starting five of his first PBA finals game.
The 25-year-old Tolentino embraced the challenge Sunday night and gave Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone a lasting impression after the Kings’ 100-94 overtime win over the TNT Tropang Giga in Game One of the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Sunday night.
"Looking back, bago mag-start ang season, 'di ko in-expect na ganito, finals tapos mag-start ako. But kahapon sinabihan ako ni coach na I'm going to start," said Tolentino.
"So, nagprepare ako physically and mentally para maka-ambag sa team even as a rookie. And also finals na 'to so kung pa-rookie rookie pa ako edi TNT is gonna take advantage of that," he added.
Tolentino contributed big in the hard-earned win, scoring 14 points and none bigger than his layup off LA Tenorio's assist that sent the game to overtime before Tenorio, Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar took charge.
The Far Eastern University product bared that he thought of going for the game-winning corner triple but opted for the higher percentage shot instead.
"Actually noong nakita ko na na-split ni kuya LA 'yung defense, I saw RR helping tapos 'di niya ako nakita. Napaisip pa ako if game-winner or sa sureball eh. So I went for the sureball," he said.
"Nag-cut ako and nagkataon na 'di ako nakita rin ni RR. Nice pass din from kuya LA. Nag-sure ball na lang ako tapos take our chances sa overtime."
Tolentino, who tallied four rebounds, three steals and a block as well in 32 minutes of play, also got the last laugh after getting posterized by Ray Parks Jr. earlier in the game.
Cone was all praises for his young gun.
"The thing I like about Arvin is he's fearless. He's not afraidd of taking shots, he's not afraid to drive to the basket," said the winningest mentor in the league.
"I get on him hard a lot because I'm trying to teach him what a good shot is and what a bad shot is," he added. "But he's absolutely fearless. He's fearless of me, he's fearless of the game."
Tolentino is grateful to receive minutes and tough love from no less than Cone while also taking tips from his battle-tested teammates like Tenorio, Aguilar and Joe Devance.
"'Pag pinapagalitan ako ni coach Tim, I take it as a positive. Kasi lagi niya akong pinapagalitan," he said in jest.
"I’m thankful kasi dun ka matututo, dun ka titigas. Plus sa mga kuya ko pa sa team. Sobrang swerte ko, sobrang blessed ako."