ANTIPOLO – Arvin Tolentino didn’t allow NorthPort to suffer humiliation, powering his side to a come-from-behind 91-85 victory over Terrafirma in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday night at the Ynares Center here.
The versatile forward finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals, coming through with big plays in the endgame to help the Batang Pier complete the reversal after being down by as much as 15 points earlier.
“Gusto ko lang din manalo,” said the 27-year-old as his team improved to 5-5 following their second win in a row. “Naghahabol kami ng playoff spot eh. Every game naman, very important, especially itong last three namin.”
Tolentino was responsible for giving NorthPort an 85-81 lead with 1:59 remaining, dishing the key assist to a streaking Jerrick Balanza for a lay-up — a possession he himself generated following his steal on the other end.
Terrafirma still made it a two-point game afterwards but the FEU product made sure that their foes won’t get any closer, going 2-for-2 from the foul line to make it a four-point spread again with 58.5 seconds to go.
Serving as the nail in the coffin, though, was William Navarro’s one-handed jam off a Robert Bolick feed with 43.2 ticks left for an 89-83 edge.
“Nag-respond ‘yung mga players,” said Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio, whose charges finished the game with a 13-4 blitz. “And they were really inspired to be in the playoffs. Kasi may chance eh, may chance kami.”
Both Navarro and Bolick were instrumental as well in closing it out with 12 points apiece, with the star guard adding 10 assists and seven rebounds to his name. The rookie winger himself also collected seven boards.
NorthPort now heads into its last two elimination round assignments, first against Converge on November 20 and versus Ginebra on the 27th.
“Medyo mabigat yung kalaban, Converge tsaka Ginebra, especially Converge. Kaya nga yung mga player, magpa-practice ng track and field kasi puro takbuhan doon eh. Kailangan makasabay,” quipped Jarencio.
Lester Prosper, meanwhile, had 23 points and 18 rebounds to lead the woeful Terrafirma, who lost already its 25th consecutive game.
The Dyip have also formally bowed out of contention in the mid-season conference with a 0-9 record, making their games against NLEX, San Miguel Beer, and Phoenix Super LPG non-bearing assignments.
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.
Quarterscores: 20-28, 45-55, 64-71, 91-85.
