The days prior to the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational have been tough for Kyle Tolentino.
Tolentino, who is only 20-years-old, was struggling all throughout Marikina’s build-up for the first-ever professional season of the MPBL.
With that, Shoe City head coach Elvis Tolentino – who is also Kyle’s father – handed out a marching order to his son.
“Ako, I never doubted naman, nakita ko na yung talent. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, hindi siya maglalaro diyan. Hindi siya gagamitin dahil anak ko siya,” said the elder Tolentino, whose tongue-lashing to his son even reached their house.
“Kailangan makatulong siya, kaya siya ginagamit. Sabi ko nga ,baka kaya siya umiiyak dahil the past tune-up games medyo masama [yung nilalaro niya]. So every tune-up kinocorrect [ko] ng kinocorrect. Ngayon, he showed na kaya niya,” he added.
The former Letran Squire took the challenge head-on. And on Tuesday night, he showed the rest of the MPBL what he’s capable of.
Tolentino finished with a game-high 24 points along with nine rebounds and three assists to lead Marikina’s 79-73 victory over Laguna. Not bad for a player who has yet to dip his toes in the collegiate scene.
“Siyempre unang-una, nanonood yung lolo [Ato Tolentino] ko e, kaya talagang ibibigay ko talaga yung best ko,” said the third generation cager.
“Then yun nga, kagaya ng sinabi ni daddy, the past few tune-ups namin talagang hanggang sa bahay pinapagalitan niya ako e. Pero ayun, tinake ko lang as a challenge.”
Elvis felt immensely proud of his son’s exceptional showing.
“Yun naman ang maganda sa player. If you’re willing to learn, marami ka talagang maano. Good thing maganda pinakita niya, hindi naman nakakahiya. Kahit lolo niya matutuwa,” said the Tolentino patriarch.
Besides repaying his father’s faith and proving his doubters wrong, it was also the perfect stage for Tolentino to make a good impression on Letran head coach Bonnie Tan.
The 6-foot-3 forward missed his final year in the juniors division due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was later listed for the seniors’ pool for Season 96.
“Yun nga ang problem kasi yung last year niya sa Letran supposedly breakout year niya sana. Kaso nag-pandemic so he didn’t have the chance to showcase his talent,” said the PCU coach.
“Ngayon sabi ko, para nakikita ka at pinayagan ka naman, e palaruin kita sa Marikina. Nakatipid pa ako sa player,” quipped Elvis.
