In their first KBL showdown, Arvin Tolentino topples Rhenz Abando as the Seoul SK Knights outlasted the Anyang Red Boosters to notch back-to-back wins.
Arvin Tolentino got the better of fellow Filipino Rhenz Abando in their first KBL meeting as the Seoul SK Knights eked out a narrow 68–66 victory over the Anyang Red Boosters on Friday, November 8.
Tolentino saw limited minutes for Seoul, logging five points in 13 minutes of play despite a tough 0-for-5 shooting night.
The Knights built an early 14-point lead before Anyang stormed back with a 24–8 second-quarter run, turning the tide and giving the Red Boosters a 33–28 halftime advantage.
What followed was a tense, back-and-forth second half, capped by Jameel Warney’s clutch basket that handed Seoul a 67–66 lead with under a minute left.
The Knights then held firm in the waning moments for back-to-back wins while improving to 6–8.
Abando, on the other hand, logged 17 points built on four triples, along with three rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes though his efforts ultimately went for naught.
The loss dropped Anyang to 8–4, slipping to solo second place behind Carl Tamayo and the defending champion Changwon LG Sakers (8–3).
Up next, Tolentino and the Knights will go for a third consecutive win when they face the Seoul Samsung Thunders (6–6), while Abando and the Red Boosters aim to bounce back against the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in their next outing.
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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.