ANTIPOLO — Arvin Tolentino turned in a career-high performance as NorthPort kept Rain or Shine winless, 113-103, for a 2-0 start into the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday at the Ynares Center here.
The star forward finished with a game-high 35 points on a 45-percent clip from the floor, alongside nine rebounds to power the Batang Pier.
Northport now shares leadership of the standings with another spotless team in Meralco (2-0).
He dropped that many points exactly a year after recording his first-ever 30-point performance in the league. He scored 31 in their 91-85 win against Terrafirma in the elimination round of the same conference last season – at the same venue.
“Actually ngayon ko lang naman, last career-high ko was same day and same venue rin,” said Tolentino, who was all smiles postgame.
The win didn’t come easy for NorthPort, though. It led by as much as 19 points but the Elasto Painters managed to chop the deficit to just four, 103-99, following an Andrei Caracut basket with 3:19 remaining in the fourth.
But RoS’ momentum got snapped when Beau Belga got called for a foul on a shooting Brent Paraiso. The rookie then made two of his three free throws to widen the Batang Pier’s lead to five with under three minutes to go.
Tolentino then came through with a highlight-worthy poster dunk on Gabe Norwood moments later.
Then Cade Flores scored inside off a Venky Jois assist to restore order, 109-99, approaching the game’s final two minutes.
Jois was impactful yet again for NorthPort, following up his 43-point debut with another solid outing to the tune of 30 points, 21 rebounds, and seven assists.
“Na-iinspire ‘yung mga locals because of his energy and aggressiveness,” offered assistant coach Rensy Bajar, who filled in for chief mentor Bonnie Tan in the postgame presser as the latter has the flu.
Joshua Munzon continued delivering for the Batang Pier with 15 points, while JM Calma and rookie Flores added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
NorthPort will try to stretch its unbeaten run to three against Magnolia on Friday, November 17, 4:00 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine, on the other hand, was led by the 32 points and nine rebounds of Dajuan Summers in the loss – its second in as many games.
Santi Santillan made 15 points, while Caracut had 13 points. Rey Nambatac and Beau Belga added 11 and 10 points,
Rain or Shine missed the services of rookie Keith Datu, who was out due to left knee soreness.
The Elasto Painters will shoot for their first win versus Phoenix Super LPG on Saturday, November 18, 6:15 PM still at Ynares-Antipolo.
The Scores:
NorthPort 113 – Tolentino 35, Jois 30, Munzon 15, Calma 11, Flores 10, Chan 5, Paraiso 5, Salado 2, Ayaay 0, Amores 0, Caperal 0, Yu 0.
Rain or Shine 103 – Summers 32, Santillan 15, Caracut 13, Nambatac 11, Belga 10, Demusis 5, Borbroan 4, Asistio 3, Norwood 3, Belo 3, Mamuyac 2, Clarito 2.
Quarterscores: 33-26, 61-48, 83-73, 113-103.
