The hits just keep coming to Vince Tolentino
What a difference a year makes for former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles skipper Vince Tolentino.
Back in 2016, the Filipino-Canadian cager almost let go of his final year of eligibility with the Blue Eagles. But a sudden change of heart led to a UAAP championship and, later on, him being drafted to highly-touted PBA D-League squad Marinerong Pilipino Skippers.
Wednesday evening, he received a call of a lifetime as Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes invited him to join the 23 for 2023 cadets. It was a call that he can’t turn down.
“It feels amazing. All the hard work I put in, it paid off,” a grateful Tolentino expressed.
“Again, the hard work proves that I can achieve anything if I want to.
“I feel very grateful because it’s another opportunity for me to play. Especially for a program like this, it’s a great opportunity for me. I’m thankful to the coaching staff for inviting me to practice,” the 6-foot-3 utility forward furthered.
Tolentino, who was born in California and raised in Canada, is still unsure when he got his Philippine passport, believing that he got his even before he was 16 years of age. That is why his parents are currently here to verify when they were able to get it.
Whatever the case may be, he is up to help out Gilas with whatever way he can. And coach Reyes is already throwing down a challenge to him.
“We’re always on the lookout for guys who has the size and can shoot. Vince Tolentino fits the bill,” Reyes remarked about Tolentino. “We’re taking a look if we could convert him to a wingman because he might be a bit undersized in international competition at the four spot.
“If we can convert him to a wingman, I think he has a chance.“
Just like what he has done during his stay in Ateneo, he is embracing this challenge.
“I’m comfortable at the three but in Ateneo, they needed me to play big and I was able to hold my own against the bigger guys. It was an okay fit. If the coaches want me to play three, I’m up for it,” he shared.
“Anything for Gilas.”
