By REYNALD MAGALLON
Arvin Tolentino fired a career-best 31 points to help NorthPort score a stirring 91-85 come-from-behind win over the hard-luck Terrafirma side in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Tolentino went off to a hot start dropping 20 in the first half to keep the Batang Pier afloat before turning in the rest of his 11 points in the final frame to frustrate the Dyip who once led by as many as 15 points in the contest before collapsing – once again – in the end game.
The 6-foot-5 wingman also added 12 rebounds and three steals while getting ample support from Robert Bolick and Will Navarro as NorthPort notched its second straight win to improve to an even 5-5 record in the standings.
Bolick after dropping 33 points last game, struggled with his shooting anew, only finishing with 12 points on a poor 4-of-21 clip from the field although he made up for it by facilitating the offense for NorthPort with 10 assists apart from seven rebounds.
Navarro added 12 points and seven rebounds while Ibeh anchored the defense with 17 rebounds and six blocks to add to his nine points.
“They played well in the first half and we didn’t look bad in the first half (but) we’re struggling. We’re open, we’re just not making our shots. Nung second half sabi ko nga sa kanila, law of averages tayo naman. Nagrespond yung mga players,” said NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio.
At the forefront of that run was Tolentino who after going scoreless in the third frame came alive in the fourth quarter to help NorthPort erase a six-point disadvantage halfway through the frame.
Trailing 80-74, Tolentino joined hands with Navarro, drilling back-to-back baskets to trigger a crucial 11-1 run to take the driver seat, 85-81 with 1:57 left in the clock. Juami Tiongson ended the drought with a jumper for Terrafirma but Tolentino answered back with two free throws before Bolick completed a steal against Tiongson to which Navarro converted into a one-handed dunk to put the exclamation point in the come-from-behind win.
Seeing the opportunity to finally end their woes Tiongson, Alex Cabagnot and import Lester Prosper all came out strong for the Dyip. Prosper led the team with 23 points while Cabagnot and Tiongson added 18 and 16 points respectively – all of which, just like in their first eight games, went for naught as they absorbed their 24th straight defeat.
The scores:
NORTHPORT 91 – Tolentino 31, Bolick 12, Navarro 12, Ibeh 9, Sumang 7, Balanza 6, Ferrer 5, Ayaay 4, Salado 3, Chan 2, Taha 0.
TERRAFIRMA 85 – Prosper 23, Tiongson 18, Cabagnot 16, Alolino 8, Ramos 8, Munzon 5, Calvo 3, Cahilig 2, Javelona 2, Camson 0, Gabayni 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
Quarters: 20-28, 45-55, 64-71, 91-85.
