Arvin Tolentino is banking on unpredictability for the Pasay Voyagers as they take off on the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Presidents Cup, set this Saturday at the Megamall Event Center.
Tolentino will be teaming up with ex-pro JP Belencion, former NU Bulldog Ron Lastimosa, and highly-touted Fil-American Roosevelt Adams.
Though not the tallest team, Tolentino hopes that their versatility will be their ticket to success in this league.
“Yung identity ng team namin unpredictable eh. Yung team namin parang mahirap maintindihan, we can play inside and out,” said the former FEU standout.
“Undersized kami compared sa ibang team, pero 3×3 is not really about how big you are. Half-court, palakihan ng puso yan,” he added.
Though he’s one of the youngest players in the league, Tolentino brings international experience with him. He previously played in the FIBA Asia 3X3 U18 back in 2013.
That, and a lifelong honing of his skills through the streets, makes his adjustment to this tournament a whole lot easier.
“Growing up in the province, dito ako lumaki sa half-court, three on three talaga ang laro eh. Tapos nakalaro narin ako sa 18-under and FIBA World. Pagpag lang ng kalawang.”
They will be bracketed with Cebu-Max 4 Birada and the Vigan Baluarte Wolves. The winner of the group will move on to the knockout phase of the first and only 3×3 tournament in the country.
Seeing the level of the playing field, Tolentino can’t wait to strut his wares against top-notch competition.
“Grabe yung competition dito, ‘di ako nakalaro nung preseason, pero nakita ko yung kalaban, big names,” shared Tolentino.
“You’ll see na talagang ang taas ng competition dito sa Chooks. Hindi siya yung regular na 3×3 na nakikita mo.”
