Ex-Blue Eagles Tolentino, Cani star for FEU in Final Four

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Arvin Tolentino had his fair share of the spotlight during his time for Ateneo while Hubert Cani had been a prized recruit of the Blue Eagles for Season 78.

Both, however, are now under Far Eastern University and the two produced enough moments that caused heartbreak for Ateneo in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament. 

Tolentino had 13 points while Cani had 11 points in the Tamaraws’ 80-67 victory Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Tamaraws force deciding game, stun Blue Eagles

For Tolentino, who was the Rookie of the Year in 2014, his time as a Blue Eagle was far behind him and that he’s now a full-fledged Tamaraw.

“The spirit of FEU, the mentality of FEU, I’ve already adopted it ever since the start of the season,” said Tolentino in Filipino who’s in his first year for the Tamaraws. “I’m not even thinking that ‘maybe I should’ve been with Ateneo’ because I’ve already accepted FEU.”

For Cani, competing against Ateneo wasn’t all about sentiments.

Cani looked at the basketball aspect of the game and not the emotion of playing against his former school.

“That’s the school where I came from,” said Cani in Filipino. “I know how hard it is to beat a team that is so disciplined.”

Cani was the one that capped off FEU’s 20-6 run in the third quarter with a layup that put the Tamaraws up 58-44.

He then, beat the shot clock buzzer with long triple with 2:45 left in the game that saw FEU take a 75-58 cushion.

“Of course it feels great to win,” said Cani.