As the PBA season progresses and Arvin Tolentino’s restricted free agency looms at the end of Season 49, one question is heating up among fans and insiders alike: Which San Miguel Corporation (SMC) team would be the best fit for the high-scoring forward?
In a recent article, Tolentino was asked a pointed hypothetical: would he stay in the PBA if he were traded to San Miguel Beermen or Barangay Ginebra? Curiously, Magnolia was not part of the question. Was this an innocent omission—or does it reflect a lack of serious interest or consideration from the Hotshots' camp?
Let’s break down how Arvin might fit into each of the three SMC squads, both tactically and in terms of opportunity:
San Miguel Beermen: The Perfect Fit on Paper
If we’re going strictly by basketball logic, San Miguel Beermen stands out as the best fit for Tolentino.
The Beermen continue to build around Junemar Fajardo, and what they’ve lacked consistently is a stretch four who can space the floor and take defensive pressure off their MVP center. Arvin is arguably the best shooter in the PBA today—his ability to score off the catch or even create in isolation would make him the ideal floor-spacing big man next to Junemar.
Defensively, Arvin can be deployed on the second-biggest frontline threat of opposing teams, giving Junemar more freedom to conserve energy and avoid foul trouble. In effect, Arvin gives the Beermen a modern, flexible four who doesn’t need heavy ball usage to be impactful.
Fit Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Barangay Ginebra: Talent-Rich but Role-Limited
While Ginebra may be the most iconic destination, it’s the least ideal fit for Arvin.
For one, Jamie Malonzo already occupies the forward role Tolentino would likely fill. Malonzo is a younger, freakishly athletic wing who is embedded in Coach Tim Cone’s system. Not to mention, Ginebra has a plethora of ball-dominant players—Christian Standhardinger, Scottie Thompson, Stanley Pringle, and even Japeth Aguilar when healthy.
And then there's Coach Tim Cone’s system, which leans heavily on set plays, triangle principles, and requires a lot of off-ball movement and role adherence. Arvin has thrived when given freedom to create and express his offensive versatility, which is not always a luxury in Ginebra’s tightly structured system.
Fit Score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Magnolia Hotshots: An Overlooked Option with Sneaky Upside
While Magnolia wasn’t mentioned in the recent hypothetical posed to Arvin, they present a more intriguing fit than meets the eye.
Yes, Zav Lucero is there. But Zav is more of a wing-slasher than a floor spacer. In theory, Arvin and Zav can coexist in a forward pairing, especially since Magnolia doesn’t have the same logjam in its rotation as Ginebra. The Hotshots are a defensive-minded squad that could benefit from a scoring jolt, and Arvin brings exactly that.
Minutes might not be guaranteed early on, but compared to Ginebra, there’s a clearer path to carving out a significant role. Coach Chito Victolero is also known for adjusting his schemes to accommodate talent, especially if it adds offensive firepower.
Fit Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
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