Arvin Tolentino kickstarted his KBL career with the Seoul SK Knights on a high, overcoming Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers in a Finals rematch.
Arvin Tolentino could not have asked for a better introduction to the Korean Basketball League.
Tolentino came off the bench to deliver 16 points in his Seoul SK Knights debut, helping complete a gutsy 89-81 overtime comeback against Carl Tamayo and his Changwon LG Sakers squad, Friday, Oct. 3.
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Seoul trailed by as much as 13 points before storming back, then slammed the door on the reigning champion in the extension with a decisive 10-0 run capped by Wonhyuk Choi’s basket for an 87-79 cushion.
The matchup marked the first meeting between the two clubs since Changwon defeated Seoul in Game 7 of last season’s KBL Finals to win the title.
Tolentino also had three rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
Reigning foreign Most Valuable Player Jameel Warney led the Knights with 27 points.
Tamayo, on the other hand, finished with just seven points but grabbed 10 boards and issued three assists for the LG Sakers, whose title defense started on a rough note.
[ALSO READ: KBL star Carl Tamayo hopes to one day finish basketball career in PBA]
Up next for Tolentino and Seoul is JD Cagulangan's Suwon KT Sonicboom Sunday, Oct. 5.
Meanwhile, Changwon clashes with Wonju DB Promy on the same day.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP and other leagues.