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Another blue chipper chooses blue as Arvin Tolentino heads to Ateneo

Arvin Tolentino with teammates Thirdy Ravena, Prince Rivero, and Kobe Paras

The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are not done retooling their lineup in their quest to to reclaim the UAAP Championship. After snagging Thirdy Ravena, brother of their star Kiefer, the Blue Eagles add former San Beda Red Cub Arvin Tolentino to their 2014 rookie class.

Tolentino helped the Red Cubs win their fifth straight NCAA title with an 18-game sweep of the competitions. Waiting in the NCAA Juniors Finals, Tolentino played big to dispatch the La Salle Greenies.

Tolentino used his Twitter account to announce the decision which has long been rumored.


Tolentino is looking to be a part of another tremendous rookie class for the Blue Eagles. Back in 2008, Ateneo, under then head coach Norman Black, had one of their best rookie class in years as they trotted out Ryan Buenafe, Nico Salva, Justin Chua, Tonino Gonzaga, and Vince Burke. The first four were vital contributors to Ateneo’s five-year reign as UAAP champions.

ALSO READ: Thirdy Ravena commits to Ateneo

Hope Christian High School’s Clint Doliguez and John Apacible were the first two recruits who expressed they were going to Ateneo. The Blue Eagles are still in hot pursuit of a few more key recruits who will fill the void left by Buenafe, Frank Golla, and Poy Erram. Since there are more rookies than the seniors who have graduated, the youngsters might dislodge a few veterans off the Ateneo lineup.

With the younger Ravena, the UAAP Juniors MVP, and Tolentino, the NCAA’s Finals MVP, the Blue Eagles are gearing to storm back into the Final Four after missing it least season after losing to the UST Growling Tigers.

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Ateneo has also hired additional coaches. With long time assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga and team manager Paolo Trillo now concentrating on their tasks with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, UP graduates Ronnie Magsanoc and Ricky Dandan will join head coach Bo Perasol in the sidelines while Epok Quimpo, a guard from Ateneo’s 2002 champion team, will be the new team manager.