WANG'S Ballclub is bringing in multi-titled coach Loreto “Ato” Tolentino to bolster its chances in the coming 2017 PBA Developmental League.
Tolentino, one of the countrys most successful coaches in the collegiate scene, will join the coaching staff as its chief consultant in the tournament which kicks off on Jan. 17.
Tolentino, now 70, will sit on the bench alongside team owner-manager Alex Wang and coach Pablo Lucas.
“Coach Ato has always been an important part of the Wang's Ballclub family as far as during our MBL days where he bagged several championships,” said Wang, a close friend of Tolentino.
Wang said Tolentino’s wisdom and long experience both as a player and coach will be crucial in Wang’s Ballclub’s campaign in the coming PBA D-League.
“With his talent and experience as a champion coach in the MBL and collegiate leagues, he will be a good asset to the team,” added Wang, also the chairman of the Millennium Basketball League (MBL).
“One thing you will admire about coach Tolentino is his ability to bring out the best in his players. Napatunayan na niya ito as a coach of both UM and PCU,” explained Wang.
Tolentino holds the record as one of the most successful collegiate coaches.
Aside from five NAASCU crowns with the University of Manila Hawks from 2001 to 2005, Tolentino is also responsible for PCU’s only NCAA championship in 2004.
He was the only coach in history to win two titles in two different leagues in the same year for PCU (NCAA) and UM (NAASCU) in 2004.
The Lubao, Pampanga native also piloted the UM Hawks to three in the national inter-collegiate championships and one in the Asian University Games.
Before becoming a champion coach, Tolentino was a brilliant player when the PBA started in 1975.
Nicknamed “Mr. Hotshot”, Tolentino was considered as one of the highest-paid players during his time while averaging 15.7 points in 123 games with Great Taste Coffee from 1975 to 1979.
As a sophomore pro in 1976, Tolentino averaged 26.9 points in 30 games at a time when there were still no three-point shots in the league.
Tolentino also once played for the Philippine national team at the Pesta Sukan Games in Singapore, joining the likes of Sonny Reyes and Tembong Melencio.
After sustaining a torn cartilage in his left knee that forced his retirement in the PBA in 1980, Tolentino took the coaching job at his alma mater, UM.
Among the notable PBA players who learned the game under Tolentino are Paul “Bong” Alvarez, Zandro Limpot, Nelson Asaytono, Eugene Quilban, Joseph Pelaez, Biboy Simon, Banjo Calpito, Chris Bolado, Joel Dualan, Leo Avenido, Reynel Hugnatan, Jovito Sese and Jason Castro.