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Tag: Arvin Tolentino

  • Arvin Tolentino to honor SK Knights deal, delays Magnolia debut until after KBL season

    Arvin Tolentino to honor SK Knights deal, delays Magnolia debut until after KBL season

    Magnolia has secured the PBA rights to Arvin Tolentino, but the Hotshots will have to be patient before seeing him in their uniform.


    The 30-year-old forward confirmed that he will remain with the Seoul SK Knights for the upcoming 2026-27 Korean Basketball League season as he honors the final year of his contract in South Korea.

     

    “Yes, stay pa ako. Two years pa ako dito,” Tolentino said.

     

    Tolentino’s statement effectively puts to rest speculation that he could make an immediate return to the PBA following Magnolia’s recent acquisition of his playing rights.

     

    The Hotshots obtained Tolentino’s rights along with a Season 51 second-round draft pick in a trade with Titan Ultra. In exchange, Magnolia sent the rights to William Navarro and a Season 52 second-round selection.

     

    Although Magnolia has positioned itself to eventually welcome one of the league’s premier forwards, Tolentino’s focus remains on finishing what he started overseas.

     

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    His contract with Seoul SK includes a player option for its third and final year, allowing him to either stay with the Knights or enter free agency. Unless circumstances change before the PBA Governors’ Cup opens on July 10, Tolentino is expected to exercise that option and continue playing in the KBL.

     

    The decision comes after a bittersweet first season in Korea. Tolentino averaged 11.0 points and 2.0 rebounds for the Knights, helping the team reach the playoffs before its campaign ended in a quarterfinal sweep at the hands of Kevin Quiambao and the Goyang Sono Skygunners.

     

    The former NorthPort star left the PBA after winning the Best Player of the Conference award in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. He last suited up for the Batang Pier during the 2024-25 season before pursuing an opportunity in the KBL.

     

    Tolentino recently returned to the Philippines for a vacation following the Korean season and was among those in attendance during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT, where he watched alongside his wife, Brandy Kramer Tolentino.

    While his PBA comeback will have to wait, Tolentino acknowledged that he has already been informed of Magnolia’s move to acquire his rights.

     

    “Nasabihan din naman nila ako tungkol diyan (trade),” he said.

     

    The trade also saw Titan Ultra acquire the rights to William Navarro, who previously had a brief stint with Magnolia before continuing his career with KBL champion Busan KGC Egis.

     

    Ironically, Navarro originally arrived in Magnolia through a deal with NorthPort involving Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and the same second-round draft pick that has now found its way back to the Hotshots.

     

    For now, Magnolia has secured a valuable piece for the future. But before Tolentino can begin his next chapter in the PBA, he remains committed to completing his final season with the Seoul SK Knights.

     

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  • Magnolia bets on the future by acquiring Arvin Tolentino rights in deal with Titan Ultra 

    Magnolia bets on the future by acquiring Arvin Tolentino rights in deal with Titan Ultra 

    Magnolia may not have added an active player to its roster, but the Hotshots may have made one of the boldest future-oriented moves of the offseason.

     

    With the PBA Commissioner’s Office approving a trade with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, Magnolia secured the signing rights to Arvin Tolentino — a player many still view as one of the most talented Filipino forwards currently playing outside the league.

     

    The transaction, first reported by SPIN.ph, also allowed the Hotshots to regain their own second-round pick for Season 51, a selection that had previously been sent away as part of the Calvin Abueva deal.

     

    In exchange, Titan Ultra acquired the rights to William Navarro along with Magnolia’s second-round selection in Season 52.

     

    At first glance, the trade appears unusual. Neither Tolentino nor Navarro is expected to suit up in the PBA anytime soon.

     

    But for Magnolia, the move is less about immediate impact and more about securing a potentially valuable asset for the future.

     

    Tolentino remains under contract with the KBL powerhouse Seoul SK Knights, where he enjoyed a strong debut campaign. His performances abroad have only increased his value, making it difficult to imagine the Korean club parting ways with him anytime soon.

     

    That reality means the Hotshots are essentially placing a long-term wager on the possibility that one day, one of the country’s premier wing scorers could find his way back to the PBA wearing Magnolia colors.

     

    On the other side of the deal is Navarro, whose professional path has taken a far different turn.

     

    The versatile forward was recently released by Busan KCC Egis following a difficult first season in the KBL. Injuries and inconsistent opportunities limited Navarro to just 21 appearances, where he averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per contest.

     

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    While Navarro is currently unattached, a return to the PBA is not as straightforward.

     

    The former Gilas Pilipinas standout remains subject to the league’s three-year ban policy imposed on players who joined overseas leagues despite having existing offers from their PBA mother teams.

     

    That restriction clouds his immediate future and adds another layer of uncertainty to the transaction.

     

    Viewed through that lens, the deal is less about present-day basketball and more about positioning.

     

    Titan Ultra acquires a player whose future status remains unresolved, while Magnolia secures the rights to a proven talent whose stock continues to rise overseas.

     

    Whether either player eventually suits up in the PBA remains unknown. But if Tolentino eventually decides to return home, the Hotshots have ensured they will be first in line.

     

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  • Kevin Quiambao outduels Arvin Tolentino as Goyang Sono beats Seoul SK in KBL playoffs 

    Kevin Quiambao outduels Arvin Tolentino as Goyang Sono beats Seoul SK in KBL playoffs 

    After spending two quarters chasing the game, the Skygunners flipped everything in a single stretch, riding a third-quarter explosion to an 80-72 win over the Seoul SK Knights in Game 2 of their Korean Basketball League quarterfinal series Tuesday at Jamsil Students’ Gym.

     

    At the center of that shift was Kevin Quiambao.

     

    Fresh off a dominant playoff debut, Quiambao delivered another composed all-around performance with 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds in 36 minutes—less about flash, more about control as Goyang dictated the game when it mattered most.

     

    But the night didn’t begin in their favor. Seoul SK came out sharp, setting the tone early and building a 46-34 halftime cushion behind crisp execution and tempo. For a moment, it looked like the series was headed for a reset.

     

    Then came the break—and a completely different Goyang team. Out of halftime, the Skygunners unleashed a stunning 29-7 barrage in the third quarter, turning a double-digit deficit into a commanding lead. The rhythm shifted, the defense tightened, and the pace swung entirely in their direction.

     

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    From there, there was no looking back. Quiambao anchored the turnaround with steady decision-making, picking his spots while keeping teammates involved as Goyang maintained control down the stretch. It wasn’t just a scoring effort—it was a performance built on timing and poise.

     

    On the other end, fellow Filipino Arvin Tolentino struggled to find consistency, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting as Seoul SK couldn’t recover from the third-quarter collapse.

     

    Now, the stakes shift. With a 2-0 series edge—including a 104-76 rout in Game 1—Goyang Sono Skygunners stand just one win away from advancing to the semifinals, where a potential showdown awaits against the top-seeded Changwon LG Sakers—bannered by Quiambao’s former high school teammate Carl Tamayo.

     

    Game 3 now becomes a chance to close.

     

    Back on their home floor Thursday, Goyang will look to finish what they’ve started. Seoul SK, meanwhile, faces a simple reality—win, or the season ends. 

     

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  • Arvin Tolentino keeps PBA return in play while staying locked in on KBL run

    Arvin Tolentino keeps PBA return in play while staying locked in on KBL run

    Even as his career continues to unfold overseas, the pull of home remains a constant for Arvin Tolentino.

     

    Now suiting up for the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), the former PBA standout isn’t shutting the door on a return to the Philippines—but he’s in no rush to make that decision.

     

    “Of course, still home for me ang Philippines. Iba pa rin kapag nasa sariling bayan ka,” said Tolentino before heading back to Korea following his team’s exit in the East Asia Super League finals.

     

    “But right now, wala pa yan sa isip ko dahil I’m still focused on my team (Seoul SK Knights).”

    Tolentino’s situation is unique. Unlike several players affected by the PBA’s three-year ban on those who bypass contract offers to play elsewhere, the 30-year-old wingman left for Korea before the rule was enforced. That timing leaves the door open for a potential return whenever he chooses.

     

    Still, any talk of a comeback remains distant. Tolentino is currently in the first year of a two-year deal with the Knights, with a possible option to decide his next move afterward.

     

    “Two years and then I have an option to come back on the third (year),” he shared.

     

    “Yung two years na yun baka puwede pag-isipan (PBA comeback). But right now, I can’t answer anything regarding that.”

     

    For now, his focus is firmly on carving out a role in a league that has tested him in new ways. The transition from the PBA to the KBL has been far from seamless, particularly with the pace and style of play in Korea.

     

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    “Doon ako nag-struggle. Ang bibilis ng mga ito (Koreans). Pero inunti-unti ko sa practice. Habol lang ng habol sa mga guwardiya hanggang nasanay na,” he admitted.

     

    “Of course, yung strength ko pa rin is spacing the floor, doon talaga ako nag-focus. Yun ang hindi puwedeng mawala.”

     

    Nearly a year into his stint abroad, Tolentino says the adjustment is still ongoing.

     

    “I can’t say na 100 percent adjusted na ako. Until now marami pa rin (adjustments), kasi super different e. Iba yung PBA and KBL,” he said.

     

    His path also differs from most Filipino imports in Korea, many of whom transitioned directly from the collegiate ranks.

     

    “Kasi yung iba doon galing college. Ako lang yung may experience from the PBA to KBL,” he explained. “So I have to adjust on my own and really be smart.”

     

    Despite the learning curve, Tolentino has quietly put together a steady campaign for Seoul. In the 2025–26 KBL season, he is averaging around 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game in roughly 21 minutes of action, while shooting an efficient clip from the field and beyond the arc. 

     

    In the Seoul Knights campaign in the East Asia Super League (EASL) however, the former FEU Tamaraw has averaged 18 points per game leading the Knights to an EASL quarterfinals appearance. 

     

    Those numbers reflect a player still finding his full rhythm in a new system, but already contributing to a team that remains firmly in the upper half of the standings.

     

    And while the future remains open-ended, one thing is clear: whether in Korea or back home, Tolentino is determined to keep evolving his game—one adjustment at a time.

     

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  • Arvin Tolentino keeps door open for Gilas 

    Arvin Tolentino keeps door open for Gilas 

    Given another shot at wearing the Philippine colors, Arvin Tolentino says he’s ready and available to do it.


    The 6‑foot‑5 gunner, now a key contributor for the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League has his club among the six squads advancing to the postseason that starts Wednesday at Studio City. 

     

    He said that if the call from the national team comes again, Tolentino makes it clear he’s eager to answer it.

     

    “It’s an honor. It’s a dream of mine to play for the national team,” said the 30‑year‑old forward, who already knows the system under national coach Tim Cone from his first three Philippine Basketball Association seasons with Barangay Ginebra.

     

    Tolentino’s national team resume is already decorated. He was part of the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s national basketball team squad that broke the country’s one‑year gold medal drought at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

     

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    He also helped the Philippines reclaim men’s basketball gold at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, competing under coaches Chot Reyes and Cone.

     

    Although he’s watching the current Gilas core compete in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which feature a competitive Group A that includes Australia, New Zealand and Guam, Tolentino said he’s fully behind his compatriots and believes they’ll give their best for the campaign.

     

    As he refers to teammates such as  Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, also excelling in Korea, he said “Whoever is playing for sure naman they’re give their 100 percent. And full support ako sa kanila.”

     

    Off the court, Tolentino has embraced life in South Korea while making adjustments on it. Since signing a multi‑year deal with the SK Knights after leaving the PBA, he’s been working to adapt to the KBL’s fast pace and team systems, even as his role varies from game to game.

     

    Tolentino now also has a chance to make history, aiming to become the first Filipino to win an EASL championship since Rhenz Abando captured the title with Anyang KGC during the 2023 Champions Week. But rather than feel the pressure, he stresses the importance of staying focused on his game.

     

    As his club pursues postseason success, Tolentino’s gaze remains on both domestic triumphs and renewed national pride, keeping the door open for another chapter in a career already marked by growth, resilience, and unflagging love for the game.

     

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  • SJ Belangel, Arvin Tolentino shine in big KBL nights

    SJ Belangel, Arvin Tolentino shine in big KBL nights

    It was a night of turning points and statement performances for Filipino standouts in the Korean Basketball League.

     

    In Daegu, desperation met opportunity — and finally, relief.

     

    After seven straight defeats, Daegu KoGas found its breakthrough in the most dramatic fashion possible, edging league-leading Changwon LG Sakers, 72–71, before a roaring home crowd at the Daegu Gymnasium. The victory didn’t just end a skid; it came at the expense of the KBL’s top team.

     

    Former Gilas Pilipinas floor general SJ Belangel steadied the ship when it mattered most. In 19 efficient minutes, he tallied 10 points, five assists, and three rebounds, helping KoGas regain composure in crunch time and return to the win column. The result lifted KoGas to 12–27, a modest improvement in the standings but a significant emotional boost for a squad searching for traction. LG, despite the setback, remains firmly atop the league at 28–12.

     

    While Belangel orchestrated a revival in Daegu, Arvin Tolentino authored a personal milestone in Seoul.

     

    Tolentino erupted for a new KBL career-high 26 points, adding six rebounds, two assists, and three steals in the Seoul Knights’ commanding 81–64 victory over the Goyang Sono Skygunners. It was an assertive, all-around display that underscored his growing confidence in the league.

     

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    On the other side, Kevin Quiambao endured a rare off night. The versatile forward finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists but struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 3-of-11 from the field as Goyang fell behind early and never fully recovered.

     

    Elsewhere, the night nearly belonged to Justin Gutang.

     

    The high-energy guard flirted with a triple-double in Seoul Thunders’ 104–101 overtime loss to the Suwon KT Sonicboomers. Gutang dished out 10 assists and came within a single point and rebound of completing the stat sheet trifecta, delivering one of his most complete performances of the season despite the narrow defeat.

     

    Suwon KT continues to navigate life without JD Cagulangan, who has been ruled out for the 2025–2026 season after suffering an ACL injury last month against Wonju DB Promy. The absence of the dynamic guard has reshaped the team’s rotation, but the Sonicboomers managed to grind out the extra-period win regardless.

     

    With the regular-season grind intensifying, more opportunities await.

    Jake Figueroa looks to sustain his steady play as Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus host the Seoul Thunders on Thursday, while Rhenz Abando and Anyang JungKwanJang prepare for a Friday showdown against Suwon KT.

     

    From breaking losing streaks to setting career highs and flirting with historic stat lines, Filipino players continue to leave their imprint across the KBL landscape — one game-changing performance at a time.

     

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  • Arvin Tolentino powers all-Filipino Team Asia to statement win at KBL All-Star Weekend

    Arvin Tolentino powers all-Filipino Team Asia to statement win at KBL All-Star Weekend

    What was billed as a lighthearted midseason showcase turned into a proud declaration of Filipino presence in Korea, as Arvin Tolentino led an all-Pinoy cast to victory during the KBL All-Star Weekend in Seoul. 

     

    Wearing the colors of Team Asia, Tolentino anchored the group with authority, steering them to an 82–79 win over Team Rookie at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. 

     

    The Seoul SK Knights import delivered a commanding all-around performance, finishing with 19 points and 14 rebounds to emerge as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

     

    Rather than treating the exhibition as mere entertainment, Team Asia played with purpose, echoing a similar result achieved by Filipino reinforcements in Japan’s B.League earlier this season. 

     

    The message was clear: Filipino imports are no sideshow in Asian basketball — they are difference-makers.

     

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    Busan KCC Egis forward William Navarro was hot in the clutch with a game-high 22 points, while also contributing five assists and four rebounds. 

     

    He was ably supported by Kevin Quiambao of Goyang Sono Skygunners and Justin Gutang of Seoul Samsung Thunders, who chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, to keep Team Rookie at bay.

     

    Veteran trailblazer SJ Belangel, now suiting up for Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals — a reminder of the all-around reliability that made him one of the first Filipinos to break through in the KBL.

     

    The night also marked a personal milestone for Jake Figueroa, who finally saw action in Korea just days after arriving. Playing alongside his fellow Filipinos, Figueroa made the most of his brief stint with three points, an assist, and a steal — a quiet but meaningful debut.

     

    Team Asia pulled off the win despite notable absences, with Carl Tamayo and Rhenz Abando sidelined due to undisclosed injuries. 

     

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