By REYNALD MAGALLON
Arvin Tolentino and import Venky Jois formed a deadly one-two punch as NorthPort survived Rain or Shine, 113-103, to pick up its second win in as many games in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The two took turns in punishing the Elasto Painters’ defense to build a sizable margin before also delivering key plays down the stretch to sustain the strong start to the season for the Batang Pier.
Tolentino fired a career-high 35 points, nine rebounds and four steals – none more crucial than his takeaway that led to a one-handed throw down over Gabe Norwood to put a stop to the last ditch rally of the Elasto Painters.
Jois was equally impressive for NorthPort with 30 points, 21 rebounds and seven assists – the last of which found an open Cade Flores inside the paint to cap a 6-0 spurt that restored a 109-99 lead for the Batang Pier with 2:10 left.
NorthPort also proved its opening game win over Terrafirma was no fluke after displaying immense poise against a rallying Rain or Shine in the waning minutes of the final frame.
The Batang Pier nearly squandered a once 19-point lead, 80-61, midway through the third frame when the Elasto Painters came too close for comfort and cut the lead down to just four, 103-99 with three minutes left.
Meantime, Magnolia put up a strong second half performance to pull away with a dominant 107-92 victory.
Tyler Bey followed up his 30-20 showing in his debut with a 32-point performance along with 16 rebounds and three steals as the Hotshots also clamped down on the defensive end to go 2-0 so far in the young PBA season.
Jio Jalalon was a huge factor on both ends of the floor for Magnolia, collecting 20 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block while his backcourt partner Mark Barroca orchestrated the offensive flow with 15 points and eight assists.
After a tight first two quarters that saw the two teams settle for a 51-all deadlock, the Hotshots limited the Fuel Masters to just 19 while exploding for 29 on the other end to seize control of the contest.
Magnolia never looked back from there as another 9-0 run courtesy of Barroca and Jalalon turned an 88-75 lead into a massive 22 point lead, 97-75, with 7:11 left.
