Arvin Tolentino had one of the most bittersweet exits in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament when he showed his respects to both Far Eastern University and Ateneo.
The Tamaraws lost badly to Ateneo, 80-61, in the Final Four that saw Tolentino play his final collegiate game in front of his former school.
An emotional Tolentino bid his goodbye to FEU, the school that he finished his collegiate career with, and also to Ateneo where he started his senior tour of duty back in Season 77.
“I just want to thank the FEU community for supporting us all the way and for two years they were the ones who gave us the energy,” said Tolentino in Filipino Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tolentino was an instant contributor for the Blue Eagles when he first got into the UAAP averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds en route to becoming the Season 77 Rookie of the Year.
His production dipped in his second year with Ateneo as he averaged 5.1 points and 2.4 rebounds while playing less minutes from 22 minutes per game to just 10 an outing the following year in Season 78.
Tolentino then, transferred to FEU after failing to meet the minimum academic requirements Ateneo imposes on its athletes.
After serving his residency in Season 79, Tolentino experienced a career resurgence and averaged more than 10 points and five rebounds per game for Seasons 80 and 81.
And although it was Ateneo that ended his collegiate career, Tolentino couldn’t help but show his respect for the school that first gave him the chance to make his name in the UAAP collegiate scene.
“I was with Ateneo for two years and the people also cheered for me before so I’m thankful to them,” said Tolentino, who had five points, five rebounds, and three assists in his final UAAP game.
“I hope I made the FEU community proud and I hope I’ve made my teammates proud, and also my coaches. Then of course, I was with Ateneo and I hope those guys were also proud of me.”