Small town boy from Richmond, big basketball dreams in Manila

“I grew up really simple” is how 25 year-old basketball player Vince Tolentino describes his childhood. When you meet this six-foot-four wonder, you’ll be amazed how his kind-hearted, gentle soul shows nothing but energy on the basketball court. As he aims for a professional basketball career in the Philippines, Vince recalls how difficult it was to let go of the simplicity and comfort in Richmond, Vancouver to take a leap of faith by entering the local sports industry.

Love for basketball

Born in the United States, Vince identifies more as a Canadian after his Filipino parents relocated to a small town called Steveston on the leftmost side of Vancouver. Initially, his parents decided to move abroad because of the chaos of the political scene in Manila.

“They were initially in the United States, but overstayed there to get away from the chaos of their home country, which is why I moved to Canada at the age of four,” Vince shares as his parents Noli and Irene established their careers as an accountant and homemaker. He admits, however, that it was “a struggle” for them initially “because culture and people are so different” in the Philippines. “It was tough at first. My parents only stayed within themselves with my uncle living with us being the only real family we had in Vancouver,” Vince explains, but adds, “Yet, Dad’s work as an accountant eventually helped he and my mom interact and build relationships with people.”

And amidst living in a small town with first generation immigrant parents, which was nothing but normal in the highly diverse area, one thing in Vince’s life was always extraordinary – basketball.

“My dad is a huge basketball fan. He played basketball in the Philippines,” Vince shares, “So, when I was about five years old, he put a ball in my hands and I loved it.” He also adds that being the middle child of two volleyball-loving sisters really pushed him to pursue sports, saying, “My older sister Stephanie was the first one to get into sports, but she wasn’t able to go to the camps, so she couldn’t pursue it in the end. She’s a huge influence in my career. Because of her, I grew up in a competitive environment.”

Their upbringing played a huge factor as well. “One thing that we were never allowed to do as we were growing up were play video games and watch TV,” he recalls, “So, my siblings and I played random sports to stay active. We resented it at the time, but it helped in the end.”

Finding his comfort zone

Identifying as a Canadian was effortless for Vince because the fishing town of Steveston in Richmond was home to a myriad of cultures. Growing up, there was no discrimination between nationalities, with Vince stating that “everyone was very accepting” especially because his school catered to athletes, being known for its American football and basketball programs. He states, “There was a diverse group of people at school, and basketball helped me socialize and be able to get involved with people I wouldn’t normally talk to.”

While focusing on his studies, Vince’s Dad encouraged him to join competitive leagues at a very young age. RYBL, which stands for Richmond Youth Basketball League, is what he considers “the first test if you’re good enough to play,” and qualifying as part of the selection team at the age of 12, he was the youngest player in the group during that time.

“It was because of this that I knew I wanted to play basketball for a long time,” he shares; his dad being a major influence. “My dad is one of the most hardworking people that I know,” Vince smiles, adding, “And he taught me if you put in the time, the results will definitely come. He said that I must be willing to make sacrifices.”

And sacrifices indeed had to be made before Vince graduated from high school.

“During my last year of high school, my team was in the finals, but we lost. I was super heartbroken,” he recalls, “It was my last year, and I was recruited by two schools and one college. I was kind of disappointed.”

He continues, “One thing I noticed about my career in Canada is that I was underlooked and felt discriminated against because in the bigger sphere of competitive basketball, I was Asian. It was tough on me. I thought I was good enough to make the provincial team, but I was only offered three schools.” He concludes, “Everyone, at that point, was telling me to go to the Philippines.”

That offer to go to the Philippines… Vince initially refused it to avoid breaking out of the coziness of being surrounded by his loved ones. “I took the offer from one of the smaller schools – Langara college,” he admits, “But, I was there for one season and I didn’t like it because I wasn’t getting the minutes that I wanted. I didn’t click with the coach. We didn’t connect well. Overall, I didn’t enjoy it.”

So, after finding every effort to stay home, Vince knew that the risk of going elsewhere was worth taking.

Stepping out of his familiarities

To 18-year-old Vince, who describes himself as “definitely an introvert” then, moving to Manila was not a walk in the park. “I kept asking the Filipinos in Vancouver what the Philippines was like,” he laughs, “I had a despedida a couple of days before I left and they told me what to expect and what to be careful of. They warned me about certain things.”

He shares, “The biggest advice they told me is to be careful who I associate with. Connections are big in the Philippines, so always be open-minded and make relationships with people, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.”

And, stepping out was indeed what he had to do during his initial tryout with the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, which was his first offer. “I did not like it and felt I wasn’t treated well,” he reveals, but that experience as a whole changed his life forever. On the same day, Vince was given a huge call by his family friend, Ito Ramirez, immediately offering Vince a chance to try out with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles straight from the DLSU practice on the same day. Feeling exhausted after two tryouts for some of the biggest universities in the country in one day, Vince laughs, “I know I played terrible then and I was so tired. I thought my career was done. I told myself, ‘I’m gonna go back to Canada and find something else to do. I tried my best with basketball, and it didn’t work out.’”

And as he prepared for his flight the next day, he received a life-changing call once again – this time, from the manager of Ateneo, giving him another shot. The offer entailed a position on the university’s Team B; Vince having to serve two years of residency, with no guarantees of getting on varsity and only a discounted tuition which is not a full scholarship until he becomes part of the Team A.

Trying to decide whether to hop on the flight back to Canada or stay in the Philippines, Vince attempted to weigh out his options, to no avail of having his heart settled – until his dad, who accompanied him on the trip, spoke some practical words.

“My Dad told me that this was my last shot,” Vince recalls, “‘But that I’m not going to lose anything.” And with that, Vince’s parents gave him “one year to test the waters,” convincing himself, “I love basketball way too much to let this tough decision pass. I bet on myself so I could prove myself wrong.”

Hardships and hurdles

That ‘one year’ that Vince’s parents encouraged him to take a chance on ended up being the most difficult year of his life. “That was one year of not knowing anyone and just adjusting to the culture,” he describes it, emphasizing that “The hardest part was being away from my family and friends and not really having people I can come back to when I’m in trouble. Nobody was there physically.”

Being super close to his family, Vince even confesses calling his parents and siblings multiple times and crying, asking them what he was doing in the Philippines if he “hates” it. “They kept telling me to stick it out a bit more to see what happens,” he adds, “They said I can’t make my decision this early in my career.”

“The only thing that kept me going was that I really wanted to play in the UAAP (University of Athletic Association of the Philippines),” says Vince, “I was watching the games and that kept me going.”

By the second year, “it started getting better” he reveals, “I found out that I got picked to play on Team A, but at the same time, I knew there was a lot of work to be done.” He describes his first UAAP game to be played with “a lot of nerves, but a huge relief,” because he’s “never played in front of that many people and it’s the environment that you’re not able to ever get used to.” Vince smiles, “When I finally made my first basket, that was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Yet, despite finally landing a spot on the prestigious roster, Vince unveils that it was more difficult of a feat than he had anticipated. “The new coach and I didn’t really click, but I held it inside for so long and just accepted it,” describing his second, third, and fourth years on the team as something he “hated” because of the lack of opportunity to show the best of his abilities.

“I wanted to move schools. I wanted to go to different places. During that whole time, I did everything extra to get better and getting my mind ready to perform, but I never really got that,” he shares. But, what prevented Vince from giving up, this time, was his own “self-motivation”. “I was always raised to hold myself accountable. I knew what I had to do,” he mentions when talking about focusing on basketball rather than following the crowds who liked to socialize and party, “I wanted to prove people wrong when they say that I will only reach a certain point,” adding, “There was a group of people who supported and believed in me. Everyone back home followed me throughout my early stages in the Philippines. The Ateneo community knew I wasn’t getting what I deserve as well. I felt like I owed it to all of them.”

In his words, “My mind was on basketball even though everything was available to me. I knew I hadn’t achieved anything yet and had to keep going.”

Vince’s senior years saw the coming of a new head coach, Tab Baldwin, for Team Ateneo, which he believes “saved his basketball career in the Philippines.”

“After those bench years, I finally got a break with the new head coach and we just clicked,” Vince shares, “We were on the same wavelength. He understood all about hard work.” He had finally reached his peak. “I had a good off-season as well,” he adds, “I was able to help the team and people started talking. I always had that inside me, but I wasn’t given a chance.” Vince attests becoming co-captain of the team; another huge confidence boost, which got his team through their “miracle seasons” where they reached the finals twice.

As captain of the team during his fifth year with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Vince told his teammates one thing – that they “are not going to lose. That is not an option.” Thirteen wins and one loss later during the 80th season of the UAAP, the Ateneo Blue Eagles won the championship trophy.

“It was one of the best feelings in my life,” Vince reminisces, “I haven’t won a championship. Ateneo hasn’t won throughout my entire time in college. I had gone through so much heartache and stress during my time in Ateneo, so to finally just feel that way during the championship was amazing.”

And to top off that feeling? The small town boy from Richmond had his entire family, his support system from the beginning, in the audience. “I broke down when I saw my parents,” remembers Vince, “It proved to me what my Dad once said when I was younger that it will all be worth it. That I can perform. That a championship was in the market for me.”

He also shares, “My parents were always proud of me and told me that what I was doing in life was not easy, but a lot of people want to be in my position and I have to understand that feeling this way is a privilege.”

Finding the purpose of his roots

“Everything fell into place,” Vince believes after winning the coveted UAAP championship trophy. He got offered to represent the Philippines as he played for the 23 for 23 Gilas Pilipinas. He also made it to the semifinals of his first season in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) with Marinerong Pilipino, then playing for Go For Gold. Currently, Vince is finishing his first season under Coach Jojo Lastimosa for the Bataan Risers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

As for his future plans, Vince knows that “investing on himself” is prime. “I learned to make decisions and weigh out my options,” he states.

And surrounded by the glitz and glamor of becoming one step closer to his professional career dreams, which is what he always believed he was “destined” to pursue, that “simple” Filipino-Canadian knows that his heart will always lie in the humble roots of his home in Richmond.

“Everyone back home says they are super proud of me and happy that I’m pursuing my dream,” Vince says with a chuckle, “They knew that basketball has always been part of my life.” As for his dad, who has been his number one support system, Vince adds, “He has always been the hardest on me, but also the most appreciative of what I’m accomplishing here in Manila. He’s living his dreams through my success.”

Looking up to PBA legend Jimmy Alapag, who is a fellow Filipino who grew up overseas, Vince says that playing in front of Filipino fans is really what toughed him through the struggles of establishing himself. “They make me want to play and perform because it’s inspiring how these people don’t know who you are, but appreciate you because of what you do,” the Filipino-Canadian concludes, “It’s just a different feeling and you can’t buy that.”

As for what he believes makes him stand out amidst the thousands of basketball aspirants in the country? Definitely being raised by two different cultures; Vince says he “gets the best of both worlds” being both Filipino and Canadian. “Canadians are super friendly and kind. Filipinos are very hospitable and welcoming. It just fits,” collecting, “It has helped with my attitude and discipline. Being in those two environments and learning from them is what completes me.”