All NorthPort needed to do to regain confidence was to get one against Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday evening.
The PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup top-seed avoided being swept by taking Game 4 of their semifinal series, allowing Arvin Tolentino and the rest of the crew to heave a sigh of relief after losing in the first three matches.
“Kung ikukumpara mo, alam mo ‘yung parang nasa ilalim ka ng tubig tapos hindi ka makahinga? And then ngayon nakaangat kami, nakakahinga na ulit,” he said shortly after their 108-103 escape at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“‘Yung kumpiyansa, nakabalik na ulit. ‘Yung belief namin sa sarili, sa team, balik na ulit,” the BPC candidate furthered. “Three more, I guess.”
So dejecting were Games 1 through 3 for NorthPort as it lost by an average margin of 20.3 points, leading many to believe that the best-of-7 series would wrap up in Game 4 and with the Kings sweeping their way into the Finals.
But the wards of Coach Bonnie Tan kept the crowd darlings from bringing the brooms out, showing grit most especially in crunch time that saw Kadeem Jack and Tolentino nail the most important of shots to keep their foes at bay.
(C) PBA Images
The 29-year-old indeed came alive when needed the most, finishing just a rebound shy of a triple-double as he netted 20 points, 9 boards, and 11 assists.
One can only wonder how different things may have gone had Tolentino played similarly in the first three outings, but the past no longer matters to him.
“I guess siguro, sana maganda na ‘yung nilaro ko from the start,“he reflected. “But I try to iwasan yung ganoon, to look back sa past three games. But of course, maiisip mo rin na sana maganda na yung nilaro namin since Game 1.
“At least, siguro, mas tumaas ‘yung chance namin, baka nakakuha pa kami ng extra na panalo. But in a series like this, yung past is wala na. Importante ngayon is to look forward na lang.”
And so, his focus is now set on Friday’s Game 5 at the Big Dome, where they of course hope to repeat against the traditional contenders to stay afloat.
“Sarap naman sa feeling na panalo. Nanalo rin. But again, it’s just one win. It’s a best-of-seven series. You got to win three more, and hopefully, magtuloy tuloy yung magandang laro namin,” said Tolentino, who also had four steals.
“Like today, especially, we had 28 assists. From the next game up to the last, we really have to just find a way to win. Three more,” added the 2024 First Mythical Team member.
“Mukhang imposible, pero wala namang imposible.”
#WATCH: STILL SAILING ⛵️
Coach Rensy Bajar applauds Batang Pier’s fighting spirit in Game 4, proving they won’t go down without a fight despite the 0-3 deficit 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/KexgJSbAgN
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 5, 2025
