Olsen Racela guarantees: ‘Arvin has learned his lesson’

If his first suspension did not make it clear enough, Arvin Tolentino should now know how important he is to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

During his first suspension, Tolentino missed FEU’s game against Ateneo, which resulted in a narrow 63-60 triumph for the Tamaraws.

After being slapped with his second disqualifying foul of the season that resulted to a two-game ban, it resulted in two bad losses.

The Blue Eagles blew out the Tamaraws last October 20, 82-62. Four days later, FEU were dealt an 82-95 loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, dropping the once-league leading Tamaraws down to a tie for fourth in the standings.

“A week ago, ten days ago, five (wins), two (losses) kami eh. A lot of things happened so it’s just unfortunate that nagsabay-sabay, Prince’s [Orizu] injury, Arvin’s suspension,” lamented second-year Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela.

Though the graduating Tolentino could only watch from far away, Racela is confident that his stretch big man has learned his lesson, as a third disqualifying foul will automatically result in his expulsion from the league.

“Well kung ma-suspend pa siya that’s the end of his UAAP career.

“But you know, he has learned his lesson. And yung sinasabi ko sa kanya, it’s not just for this season, it’s more for his future. Malayo pa ang future ni Arvin after UAAP so more than this season, it’s for his future,” expressed Racela, a PBA legend.