The Far Eastern University Tamaraws, after an excellent UAAP Season 78 campaign, is readying itself for the 80th Season of the UAAP – their hosting year.
In a chance encounter with Arvin Tolentino last Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, the UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year shared to Tiebreaker Times that he has narrowed down his decision to two schools after dropping out of the Ateneo de Manila University.
“I’m choosing between San Beda and FEU na lang. Siguro, one of these days makakapag-decide na ko,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino has finally decided to where he is headed according to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation as Tolentino will head over to Morayta and join the Tamaraws for UAAP Season 80.
According to a source from the San Beda College camp that refused to be named, Tolentino nor his representatives never contacted the school about the possibility of returning to his alma mater. “Hindi niya kami kinausap or anything,” the school official said. “Ang alam namin FEU na siya.”
Moreover, former UAAP Juniors Finals MVP Hubert Cani will also join his batchmate with the Tamaraws according to the same source. Tiebreaker Times first reported that Adamson was interested in the floor general but after securing Jerie Pingoy, the talks between the Soaring Falcons and Cani died down said the source.
FEU head coach Nash Racela did not deny that both former Blue Eagles have chosen to join the Tamaraws. “Nothing official yet. We are happy both Arvin and Hubert chose FEU,” the UAAP champion mentor said in an SMS message. “We will meet them [the coaching staff] and check their transfer documents so we can make it official.”
Another FEU school official added that both student-athletes are in the campus Tuesday morning. “I saw them around. I think they’re going through the admissions process. Enrollment here doesn’t start until July,” the official said.
In his two year stay in Katipunan, Tolentino, 20, posted norms of 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds. He shot 38 percent from the field including 25.9 percent from downtown. However, after starting 11 of a possible 14 regular season games during his rookie year, Tolentino started none in his sophomore campaign while his minutes dropped from 22.5 minutes per outing to just 10.7 in year two.
On the other hand, Cani, 20, served a year in residency limbo before debuting for the Blue Eagles in Season 78. The former National Bullpup was a third-string point guard, backing-up Matt Nieto and Pingoy, and was started just one game in 13 outings for the Blue and White.
Both Tolentino and Cani, if the transfer pushes through, will serve a year in residency and are set to debut in the 80th season of the league. FEU be the hosts for the season.
