MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino continues to indicate why he’s deserving of a spot within the PBA’s First Legendary Crew.
After falling one help in need of a triple-double of their earlier outing, Tolentino erupted for a brand new career-best in scoring because the Batang Pier made straightforward work of the Converge FiberXers, 135-109, within the PBA Governors’ Cup on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, August 29.
Tolentino transformed on 15 of his 27 area purpose makes an attempt, going 10-of-14 from the two-point space and 5-of-10 from past the arc, to complete with a brand new career-high 51 factors.
The high-scoring ahead Tolentino grew to become the primary native participant to breach the 50-point territory in six years since Terrafirma Dyip guard Stanley Pringle – who was nonetheless taking part in for the Batang Pier then – dropped 50 markers in 2018.
Nonetheless, the previous FEU standout gave credit score to his teammates, saying NorthPort is solely not simply an Arvin Tolentino staff.
“This staff will not be a one-man staff, like lots of people are saying. We play as a staff and we now have enjoyable as teammates,” mentioned Tolentino, who surpassed his earlier career-high of 35 factors he set final season.
“We have been optimistic the entire week, we have been having enjoyable, however on the identical time doing what we now have to do,” he continued.
4 extra Batang Pier gamers scored in double figures within the wire-to-wire drubbing, with Joshua Munzon backing up Tolentino with 19 factors.
Jio Jalalon contributed 13 factors, whereas Damie Cuntapay and Will Navarro added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Tolentino wasted no time making his presence felt as he dropped 22 of his 51 factors within the first two quarters to assist NorthPort construct a 68-49 edge at halftime.
Tolentino and the remainder of the Batang Pier then confirmed no indicators of slowing down within the second half as they even prolonged their result in as many as 29 factors late within the third quarter, 96-67, off a basket by Cuntapay.
Recent from hitting a historic game-winning four-pointer simply two days in the past, Scotty Hopson paced the FiberXers of their lopsided defeat with 24 factors, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
NorthPort improved to 2-1 in Group A, whereas Converge dropped to a good 2-2 slate.
In a battle between two powerhouse squads in Group A, the TNT Tropang Giga returned to the successful column following a hard-earned 88-82 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stuffed the stat sheet for the Tropang Giga anew with 32 factors, 19 rebounds, and seven assists as they bounced again massive from their stinging loss to Converge and hiked their document to 2-2.
With Magnolia on high by 2 factors, 80-78, it was Hollis-Jefferson who sparked TNT’s livid late-game rally as he hit a booming triple with 3:07 to play to present the Tropang Giga a slim 81-80 benefit.
Jayson Castro and Poy Erram then related on essential back-to-back baskets, earlier than Hollis-Jefferson put the ending touches and capped TNT’s fiery 10-0 run with a steal and a slam with simply 31.2 ticks left.
Rey Nambatac chipped in 15 factors for TNT, whereas Roger Pogoy and Brian Heruela poured in 12 and 10, respectively.
Import Glenn Robinson topscored for the Hotshots – who fell to a 1-2 card – with 19 markers.
The Scores
First Sport
NorthPort 135 – Tolentino 51, Munzon 19, Jalalon 13, Cuntapay 11, Navarro 10, Yu 6, Jois 6, Bulanadi 6, Nelle 5, Amores 4, Onwubere 2, Taha 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0.
Converge 109 – Hopson 24, Stockton 19, Arana 16, Winston 16, Santos 12, Racal 8, Delos Santos 6, Nieto 4, Maagdenberg 2, melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Fleming 0, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0.
Quarters: 38-24, 68-49, 100-77, 135-109.
Second Sport
TNT 88 – Hollis-Jefferson 32, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Heruela 10, Erram 6, Castro 4, Oftana 3, Khobuntin 3, Aurin 3, Varilla 0, Exciminiano 0, Ebona 0.
Magnolia 82 – Robinson III 19, Lucero 14, Lee 13, Barroca 12, Sangalang 11, Abueva 7, Dela Rosa 6, Ahanmisi 0, Dionisio 0, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0, Laput 0.
Quarters: 29-22, 50-49, 72-66, 88-82.
– Rappler.com
