As Arvin Tolentino’s game blossomed into its current form, his future became a matter of “will he or won’t he”? Will Tolentino stay with the NorthPort Batang Pier, the team that gave him his big break? Was he heading to a marquee PBA team? Or will the reigning PBA Best Player of the Conference head overseas? Those questions were finally answered right before May reached its conclusion. 

Tolentino is set to join the runners-up of the 2024-2025 season of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) in the the Seoul SK Knights, who are looking to find their own version of Carl Tamayo. The Knights are getting a two-way scorer in his prime, one who has shown he can score a ton of points, especially when the opportunities come his way. 

From a personal standpoint, the move was obvious. This was the 29-year old’s chance to maximize his financial prospects. Tolentino could earn more in Korea in a couple of years than what he made in his six PBA seasons. That will change his fortunes and that of his family, so that’s something he should rightfully pursue. 

One may be wondering, though, what else is there for Tolentino to work on? It’s not so much a development issue as it is an opportunity for reps against arguably tougher competition. Tolentino’s career has been marked by the chances he has been given. He was immersed into a winning tradition during his time with the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, but the in-game reps were not as much as the 10th overall pick in the 2019 PBA Draft had hoped for. However, when he joined the Batang Pier, Tolentino’s game flourished and the fruits of his unseen hours were on full display. 

In reality, had Tolentino remained with the Gin Kings, we would have never really known what he was truly capable of and if he was not moved to the NorthPort, he might not have gotten the attention of KBL teams. The Batang Pier’s decision to move on from William Navarro, who is currently playing the best basketball of his life, certainly makes Tolentino’s decision all the more reasonable. 

Overall, the outlook for Tolentino’s KBL stint remains uncertain, but he will likely find success in the same way Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao have in the league. He’ll have a ton of touches like the latter and will utilize them with the efficiency of the former. 

Of course, Tolentino won’t be able to find mismatches early on, but in time, he will learn how basketball is played in the Land of the Morning Calm. There’s some pressure to contribute immediately, but this should be balanced with an understanding that good things take time. 

While the United States is known as the land of opportunity, the Great East has emerged as such for the Filipino basketball players like Arvin Tolentino. It’s expected that Tolentino could eventually find his way back to the PBA, but right now, he’s doing what’s best for himself.