MANILA, Philippines – Arvin Tolentino finally hit his stride as NorthPort avoided a sweep at the hands of Barangay Ginebra, 108-103, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, March 5.
Tolentino poured 18 of his 20 points in the last two quarters, allowing the Batang Pier to beat the Gin Kings at last after falling into a 0-3 hole in the best-of-seven clash.
Held to just 11.7 points in the first three games, Tolentino delivered in Game 4 and even flirted with a triple-double, contributing 11 assists, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals.
“I just really had to because if I did not, we’d already be out,” said Tolentino in a mix of Filipino and English when asked about finding a way to make an impact.
“The last three games felt like we were underwater and we could not breathe. Now, we’re able to breathe again and get our confidence back. Our belief in the team is back.”
Import Kadeem Jack showed the way for NorthPort in scoring with 39 points to go with 15 rebounds and 5 assists, including a turnaround jumper over Troy Rosario with 20 seconds left that gave the Batang Pier a 106-103 edge.
Ginebra remained lurking, but Justin Brownlee botched his layup and Stephen Holt missed the game-trying triple.
Tolentino then sealed the win by coolly sinking his free throws with eight seconds to play as he set his highest scoring tally of the series.
William Navarro chimed in 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, Joshua Munzon added 14 points, and 5 assists, while Paolo Taha put up 11 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals as a surprise starter.
Brownlee finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in the loss — the Gin Kings falling short of their comeback after nearly erasing a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 74-84 going into the final salvo, Ginebra chiseled away at its deficit and got within 103-104 on a Holt three-pointer but failed to seize the upper hand as the Batang Pier leaned on Jack and Tolentino in the endgame.
RJ Abarrientos also had 18 points for the Gin Kings, while Troy Rosario recorded a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double.
The Scores
NorthPort. 108 – Jack 39, Tolentino 20, Navarro 16, Munzon 14, Taha 11, Nelle 3, Bulanadi 3, Miranda 2, Onwubere 0.
Barangay Ginebra 103 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 15, Malonzo 12, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 2, Gray 0, Cu 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 54-50, 84-74, 108-103.
– Rappler.com