Arvin Tolentino could only concede how much experience played a factor after NorthPort failed to upset Barangay Ginebra as the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals got underway Wednesday night.
The Kings came in perceived as exhausted with their core coming off a rigorous trip with Gilas.
The Batang Pier wanted to capitalize on that, only to get beaten up as the veteran-laden unit used a big third quarter to break away.
“Based on the way we played tonight, I guess that’s a big factor also. I’m not sure if may jitters ‘yung iba, but I can’t really say, siguro sila ‘yung makakasabi nun,” he said moments after their 115-93 loss at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Jitters may have hugely affected the top seed as only a few players in NorthPort’s active roster have experience playing in PBA semis.
Aside from Tolentino, Paolo Taha and Sidney Onwubere — both of whom happen to be former Ginebra players like him — possess as much.
Same with Allyn Bulanadi during his time with San Miguel before being traded to the Batang Pier in 2023 in a deal centered on Don Trollano.
Jio Jalalon and Paul Zamar do have plenty of semis stints under their belts as well with Magnolia and the Beermen, respectively. However, both veteran playmakers have been on sick bay for some time now due to injuries.
Yet their main man chooses to stay optimistic, believing that it could serve NorthPort better now that Game 1 is in the books despite the result.
“First time din nung ibang teammates ko. But that’s good also na na-experience na nila yun today,” said Tolentino, who last played in the semis in 2022 when he was still with the Kings.
“Meron pa namang game. We’ll definitely be better.”
Performing better is the BPC favorite’s goal personally, especially after being limited by the Ginebra defense to just eight points on 2-of-11 shooting.
According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, it’s his lowest output and first with just a single-digit score in the last two seasons, ending a streak of 47 straight double-digit scoring games dating back to the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
The last time he was held below 10 points in a game was on March 2, 2023 when he only had four points in a 129-109 loss to the Hotshots.
“They did a great job today,” Tolentino admitted. “But I need to be better next game. I’ll definitely watch the tape and watch how they defended me.”
