TOLENTINO READY FOR NEW CHALLENGES IN KBL

(UPDATE) FOR outgoing NorthPort forward Arvin Tolentino, his latest move to leave the PBA and play in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) 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 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.

2025-06-08T16:14:07Z