ARVIN TOLENTINO READY TO FACE NEW CHALLENGES IN KBL

MANILA, Philippines — For outgoing NorthPort forward Arvin Tolentino, his latest move to leave the PBA and play in the Korean Basketball League via the Seoul SK Knights was brought about by his burning desire to face new challenges in his pro basketball career.

Not that the PBA no longer poses a challenge to his growing skill as a pro basketball player. But when the opportunity to play in Korea happened a few months ago, the 6-foot-6 Tolentino admitted being intrigued by it.

"It (the idea of playing in Korea) started after I won the Best Player of the Conference (in the PBA Commissioner's Cup last March). The president and GM (general manager) of the SK Knights called me and they asked me if they can meet me," Tolentino said during his interview with Power and Play, the sports program of former PBA commissioner Noli Eala on Saturday, June 7.

The former Ateneo and Far Eastern U star said initially, since he still had a live contract with NorthPort, he thought of declining the meet up. But when the top officials of SK Knights said they simply came "not on official business" but to try to get to know him, he eventually obliged.

That dinner meeting with the bigwigs of the SK Knights opened his eyes to the reality that playing in Korea could be the next big challenge, indeed.

But there's a catch, he said.

Considering the big risk he'll be taking should he decide to play in the KBL, the 29-year-old Tolentino told the SK Knights' president that he'd only accept their offer if he'll be given a three-year deal, plus he can bring his wife and two small kids.

"I signed with Seoul because I feel like with my family going there, there's a big risk if I just sign for one year. That's a big jump so I was thinking, after (playing just) one year, what will happen to me? And I have two small daughters so I needed assurance and security," he explained.

But with the Korean ballclub acceding to his requests, Tolentino is now ready to face the biggest transition to his pro basketball career.

Tolentino said he can't help but thank former Gilas guard Kiefer Ravena, a veteran in the Japan B.League since 2021, who gave him key insights in preparing him for his big leap from playing the PBA and to the KBL.

Same with Gilas big man Carl Tamayo, who is fresh off a successful stint with the Changwon LG Sakers that bagged the 2024-25 KBL title after besting the SK Knights in a seven-game title series.

"Kiefer is someone I talked with all the time regarding my transfer overseas since he is the most experienced," said the sweet-shooting Filipino forward, the 10th pick overall of Barangay Ginebra in the 2019 PBA Draft.

Tolentino is set to fly to Seoul by June 15 and will have two weeks to get himself into good condition before joining the Seoul ballclub, as the team resumes its practice to prepare for the 2025-26 season.

"I'm excited with the new challenge, the new opportunity and the basketball culture in the KBL," said Tolentino, whose outstanding performance in the 2023-24 season earned him a spot in the Mythical First team. "I feel like I'm going to be a big help to the team and hopefully, we get the championship."

2025-06-08T06:07:10Z