IS Arvin Tolentino Magnolia-bound?
This is a question that will be answered in the coming weeks if San Miguel Corp. management wants to bolster the line-up of a popular team under its umbrella that has been without a championship for the past six years.
Sources bared even the Magnolia coaching staff is aware of the possibility of having Tolentino, who played for Magnolia’s sister team Barangay Ginebra before being traded to Northport in exchange for Prince Caperal for Jamie Malonzo.
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The former FEU Tamaraw was drafted 10th overall in 2019 by Ginebra, where he won the 2020 Philippine Cup and the 2021 Governors Cup titles.
If and when the trade happens, Tolentino can perhaps add the needed shooting for Magnolia’s wing spot and at the same time spread out the defense that usually is clogged as most of their bigs are playing inside.
“Nadinig na namin yan pero di naman kami nagsasalita sa management, kasi hinihintay namin na sila ang gumawa ng moves, kasi sila naman din ang masusunod dyan,” said a source who requested anonymity.
NorthPort has consistently been a source of good players for SMC teams in the past, the latest being Malonzo who joined former NorthPort players Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger in the Barangay Ginebra camp.
Of the three SMC teams, it is Magnolia which has the least number of championships the last six years, coincidentally during Alfrancis Chua's term as sports director.
It will be recalled that Chua rose to the powerful position at SMC a year after the San Mig Coffee Mixers (old name of Magnolia) won a four-peat including the PBA’s third and last grand slam title in 2014.
Curiously, it is Magnolia which has had the least upgrades the last few years among the SMC teams. Unlike San Miguel (Jeron Teng, Don Trollano) and Ginebra (Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray, Maverick Ahanmisi), the Hotshots' only significant addition was Abu Tratter, who arrived in an April 2023 trade with Converge.
So will Tolentino land in Magnolia's lap?
Magnolia fans are excited
Palayan City-based Magnolia fan Embong Fajardo is keeping his fingers crossed that the Tolentino trade will be consummated soon, saying it has been a while since his most favorite team won a championship.
“Grabe higit six years na pala kaming walang title, 2018 Governors’ Cup pa. Ang pinakamatagal na title drought sa SMC ang Ginebra eh, eight years. Dalawang taon na lang, mapapantayan na ng Magnolia yun,” said Fajardo, who started following Magnolia during the time of Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, Al Solis and Jojo Lastimosa in the late 80s.
“Malakas naman yung Magnolia eh. Kulang lang talaga sa vital pieces. Yung tipong may line-up ba na pwedeng itapat sa either San Miguel or Ginebra, yung dalawang team kasi na yun ang talagang super loaded. Mahirap mo kalaban sa finals,” he added.
Asked if Tolentino would be the missing link to Magnolia’s title quest, the Magnolia fan had a quick reply.
“Oo naman. Malakas si Arvin nakikita mo naman ang laro nun. Kahit sa Northport kaya nyang buhatin. Kailangan naming yung malaki na tumitira sa labas. Sa mga bigs ngayon na outside ng SMC, si Arvin ang mayb sureball sa labas. Nagtataka nga ako pinakawalan ng Ginebra at nagtagal pa sa Northport,” he said.
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