MANILA – Arvin Tolentino exploded for a career-high of 51 points as NorthPort Batang Pier dominated Converge FiberXers, 135-109, in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The Gilas Pilipinas gunner knocked down five three-pointers and converted all of his 16 free throws as the Batang Pier secured their second straight victory for a 2-1 win-loss slate.
“I was hot na nung start ng game, and we led agad, and then na-feel ko na maganda ‘yung tinatakbo ng team, especially in transition, and also on defense,” he said in a post-game interview.
“Siguro suwerte din na dumarating sa akin ‘yung bola and naso-shoot ko naman,” added Tolentino, who became the first local player to score 50 points since Stanley Pringle during his time with the Batang Pier in 2018.
Joshua Munzon added 19 markers and five steals, Jiovani Jalalon contributed 13 markers, while Damie Cuntapay and William Navarro contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
Scotty Hopson finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, Alec Stockton added 19 markers, while Justin Arana and Deschon Winston ended with 16 apiece as the FiberXers dropped to a 2-2 win-loss card.
On Wednesday night, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-0) erased an early 21-point deficit to score a come-from-behind 124-105 domination over NLEX Road Warriors (2-1).
Down by as many as 21 points in the second quarter, the Painters slowly clawed their way back behind steals and conversions from Jhonard Clarito and Gian Mamuyac to take a 58-54 halftime lead.
The Painters increased the lead to 16 points in the third period, but the Road Warriors managed to cut it to five before Rain or Shine pulled away anew behind Clarito, Andrei Caracut, and Caelan Tiongson.
Clarito finished with 24 points, on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting, to go with five steals, four rebounds, and three assists. Mamuyac added 22 markers, while Aaron Fuller, Caracut, and Tiongson ended with 21, 17 and 10 points, respectively, for the Painters./PN
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 135 – Tolentino 51, Munzon 19, Jalalon 13, Cuntapay 11, Navarro 10, Yu 6, Jois 6, Bulanadi 6, Nelle 5, Amores 4, Onwubere 2, Taha 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0.
CONVERGE 109 – Hopson 24, Stockton 19, Arana 16, Winston 16, Santos 12, Racal 8, Delos Santos 6, Nieto 4, Maagdenberg 2, Melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Fleming 0, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0.
Quarterscores: 38-24, 68-49, 100-77, 135-109.
