by REYNALD MAGALLON
Arvin Tolentino erupted for 41 points as NorthPort shot Phoenix down with a 105-86 romp on a cold Friday night, July 14 in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Tolentino pumped in 27 of his total in the second half as the Batang Pier built the sizable margin it never relinquished until the final buzzer to notch a back-to-back victory. The win also allowed them to move past the .500 mark in the standings with a 5-4 record.
The lanky forward was on target from the deep, drilling seven triples that also went with five rebounds and three steals. He was backed up by NorthPort’s sophomore big man JM Calma who contributed 21 points and eight rebounds.
So far, Tolentino’s scorching performance was already the highest scoring display during the preseason exhibition, in tie with San Miguel Beer’s Jericho Cruz.
After a tight opening frame that saw both teams settle for a 21-all deadlock, the Batang Pier picked up the slack in the second quarter where it exploded for 32 points to take a comfortable, 53-44 lead over the Fuel Masters.
Riding the momentum from the strong close out in the first half, NorthPort then relied on Tolentino and Calma to take the fight out of Phoenix.
Meanwhile in the curtain raiser, Blackwater picked up its third straight victory with an 89-82 win over Meralco.
Troy Rosario led the way for the Bossing who orchestrated a telling 14-4 run that allowed them to establish the much needed separation, 85-74, in the final frame. He finished with 21 points – none bigger than the last two which also doused a desperate run from the Bolts late in the contest.
Mike DiGregorio added 16 while Rashawn McCarthy finished with 15 as they provide Blackwater the inside and outside threat with Rosario to move up to a 6-3 record in the standings.
