MANILA – Ilonggo forward Ronrei Tolentino got another chance to show his wares in the big leagues in Metro Manila after being recruited by Centro Escolar University Scorpions.
Tolentino, a former standout of Iloilo National High School, said he was thankful to Scorpions head coach Chico Manabat for giving him another opportunity to realize his hoop dreams.
“I am grateful to coach Chico and to CEU for accepting me to the team. I will definitely not waste this chance they have given to me,” the Iloilo City native told Panay News on Tuesday.
Tolentino was one of the three Western Visayas-based players in the Scorpions roster aside from fellow Ilonggo Franz Diaz and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental-native Jayson Puray.
“I feel at home here at CEU because my coaches and teammates were very welcoming. It also helped that two of my teammates here were also from Western Visayas,” Tolentino said.
“I am still in adjustment stage since I just arrived here last month but I am doubling my effort to catch up with the team and to familiarize with coach Chico’s system,” he added.
The 6-foot-3 Tolentino was a former member of Western Visayas team that won a silver in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa, which led him to be recruited by the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws in UAAP juniors.
Following his solid showing during his stint with the Baby Tamaraws, Tolentino was then recruited to play for Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals but he left the squad after a few months.
The Ilonggo forward then moved to University of the East Red Warriors following a recommendation from Gametime Sports founder Rodolfo Go Villaruz but did not last long too.
“I must admit that the two instances were wasted opportunities for me but I am glad to have another chance with CEU. I will definitely make sure that I will finish my collegiate years here,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino will have his baptismal of fire as a Scorpion in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League, which will begin on July 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum./PN
