In an exclusive interview, KBL-bound Arvin Tolentino detailed how negotiations with the Seoul SK Knights unfolded and confirmed he received a counteroffer from the NorthPort Batang Pier.
Arvin Tolentino didn’t flinch.
Not when the overseas offers started coming in. Not when the decision to leave loomed large. And certainly not now — as he prepares to leave the only professional league he’s ever known.
“Wala naman akong pinagsisihan na desisyon,” Tolentino said on One News’ Play By Play, following his signing with the Seoul SK Knights in the KBL.
[ALSO READ: NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino bolts to KBL, signs with Seoul SK Knights]
“Hindi naman ako makakarating dito without all those struggles and challenges na naharap ko before. I’m very happy. I have a very loving wife and two beautiful kids, and I’m going to KBL to play the sport that I love.”
The 29-year-old forward joins the three-time KBL champions fresh off a career year with NorthPort, where he was named Best Player of the Conference in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup after norming 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
[ALSO READ: After receiving first PBA BPC award, NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino wants to be better]
He led the Batang Pier to the league’s best elimination round record at 9-3, a no. 1 playoff seed, and a semifinal finish in the import-laden tournament.
“The offer came after the last conference when I won Best Player of the Conference,” Tolentino revealed.
“The team president and general manager [from Seoul] flew to Manila to talk to me and my family. I felt very special when that happened,” he continued.
Though Tolentino appeared in just two games in the season-ending Philippine Cup due to contract negotiations, the two-time PBA champion made sure to keep NorthPort in the loop.
He bared that he had already informed team governor Erick Arejola, former head coach Pido Jarencio, and current head coach Bonnie Tan as interest from abroad intensified.
“They were happy when they heard the news, and they really appreciated that I was honest with them,” Tolentino reiterated, adding that the Batang Pier extended a counter-offer in an effort to keep him.
Ultimately, the opportunity to grow outside the country was too good to pass up.
“It was very hard for me and my wife,” Tolentino admitted. “It’s a new environment and culture. We talked about it for a long time. If I’m going to play in KBL, my family has to be there.”
Before finalizing the move, he reached out to fellow Filipino imports in reigning champion Tamayo of the Changwon SG Lakers and SJ Belangel for advice about the KBL.
But it was Yokohama B-Corsairs guard Kiefer Ravena who became his most trusted sounding board.
“Malaking tulong si Manong Kief sa pag-transition ko. Lagi niya akong binibigyan ng advice," Tolentino spoke on Ravena's impact.
[ALSO READ: Kiefer Ravena re-ups with Yokohama B-Corsairs for another Japan B.LEAGUE run]
Tolentino now joins an SK Knights squad headlined by reigning domestic MVP An Yeong-jun and Foreign MVP Jameel Warney — a formidable core that finished runner-up to Tamayo’s LG Sakers squad last season.
“It’s very exciting for me as a basketball player. New environment and new league and iba ‘yung competition. Lahat ng makakalaban ko kasi is first time ko makikita. Sanay na rin ako sa pressure and challenge,” the two-time gold medalists with Gilas Pilipinas noted.