Three Years in the Making: Arvin Tolentino has his Mac Belo-moment

Over his five-year stay with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, Mac Belo created numerous moments that will forever live in UAAP lore. And now, Arvin Tolentino has one he can call his own.

Remember Belo’s buzzer-beating triple, which eliminated the De La Salle Green Archers back in October 1, 2014?

What about his buzzer-beating tip-in against the Ateneo Blue Eagles back in November 21, 2015?

And even Ben Mbala knew that the knockout game between the FEU Tamaraws and the DLSU Green Archers on Wednesday would end the same way.

“These types of games… Remember when I was not playing yet? Mac Belo hit the shot over [Jason] Perkins. It’s going to be that type of game.

“I’m hoping the guys won’t crumble underneath the pressure. I’m sure they’ll handle it,” Mbala shared during halftime.

He called it.

With La Salle holding a 68-70 lead with seconds left, Tolentino knocked down a booming triple with 3.1 seconds to spare. Another Tamaraw broke the hearts of the Green Archers.

“Na-Mac Belo kami,” quipped Jeron Teng after the game.

And it happened exactly three years after Belo’s tip-in that effectively ended Kiefer Ravena’s collegiate career.

Still, Tolentino, who was playing for the Blue Eagles when Belo stunned Ateneo, did not take credit for the win, while also paying tribute to his teammates afterwards.

“Ayoko isipin ng tao na nanalo kami dahil sa shot ko. Every shot was as big in this game.”