Player Profile Series: The Resilient Rise of Kat Tolentino

Katrina Mae De Lara Tolentino, born on January 27, 1995, is a Filipino-Canadian volleyball standout known for her explosive presence on the court and unwavering resilience off it. 

Currently suiting up for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Tolentino’s journey in the sport is marked not just by accolades but also by perseverance through adversity.

Hailing from a sports-oriented Filipino-Canadian family in British Columbia, Tolentino grew up surrounded by athletic excellence. Her brother, Vince Tolentino, made waves in collegiate and professional basketball, playing for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and later the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA.

Katrina attended McMath Secondary School in Richmond before relocating to the Philippines to pursue her collegiate education and volleyball dreams at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Her career, however, faced a rocky start. Before even making her debut for the Ateneo Lady Eagles, Tolentino endured two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries to her left knee. Just when she was poised for her first appearance in 2015, she suffered another ACL tear—this time in her right knee—during a Shakey’s V-League match.

The setback required surgery and extensive rehabilitation, but Tolentino defied the odds and came back stronger. She eventually became one of the pillars of the Ateneo squad, even taking on the role of co-captain alongside Maddie Madayag during UAAP Season 80.

Throughout her collegiate career, Tolentino helped Ateneo to multiple podium finishes:

Silver Medal – 2015 Shakey's V-League 12th Season Collegiate Conference

Bronze Medal – 2016 ASEAN University Games

Silver Medal – 2016 Shakey's V-League 13th Season Collegiate Conference

Silver Medal – 2017 UAAP Season 79

Bronze Medal – 2018 UAAP Season 80

Silver Medal – 2018 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference (with Ateneo-Motolite)

Champion – 2019 UAAP Season 81

She capped her college stint with a triumphant championship in UAAP Season 81 in 2019. In the same year, she was recognized as the Best Opposite Spiker in the UAAP, a title she had already earned at the 2018 PVL Open Conference, and would claim again in the 2021 PVL Open Conference.

After the cancellation of the UAAP Season 82 volleyball tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tolentino opted to forego her final year of eligibility and transitioned into the professional ranks. 

She joined the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in 2021 and became a core part of the team. However, her professional journey hasn’t been without more challenges. 

In 2024, she was sidelined after experiencing hearing loss in her left ear. The following year, she was once again forced to sit out due to a ruptured appendix.

Despite these health setbacks, Tolentino's club career has remained decorated. She played for Ateneo-Motolite in 2018 and has since been a mainstay of Choco Mucho, helping them secure 

Bronze Medal — 2023 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup

Silver — 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference

1st runner-up — 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference

Tolentino’s legacy is one of grit, leadership, and unwavering spirit. 

From battling career-threatening injuries to earning multiple individual awards and team medals across college and professional leagues, Katrina Tolentino continues to be a symbol of perseverance and excellence in Philippine volleyball.