VINCE Tolentino was thrilled to see his Ateneo teammates follow through with their early season promise to send out the Blue Eagles graduating skipper on a championship high.
Tolentino said he wanted to win the title in his final year, and the Blue Eagles showed all season that they also wanted to win it for him.
“Going into my last year, that was the only thing that I wanted. I wanted a championship. These boys promised me a championship since Day One,” said the Ateneo captain.
In his final game for Ateneo, the 6-foot-3 Tolentino had nine points and six rebounds in the title-clincher for the Blue Eagles. He also converted a lay-up that put Ateneo ahead by 10, 80-70.
The Blue Eagles completed their title victory with an 88-86 win on Sunday at the expense of La Salle.
“We always talk about it. We are going to get it. And you know, the Lord is good because here we are, standing here right now," he said.
“I’m so thankful. I’m so blessed to be part of this organization and I’m speechless,” added Tolentino, one of the three graduating players of the Blue Eagles this season.
Tolentino is also thankful for Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin, who he described as the best coach he has ever had.
“For me, I’ve never had a coach like coach Tab. The attention to detail, his mind is just full of so much basketball knowledge. For us young players, it’s so important to develop at the young age. Coach Tab has done that and he will continue to do that for the Ateneo program.
“He is an amazing coach, and probably the best coach I’ve ever had,” said the Ateneo forward.
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