MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier leaned on the hot hands of Arvin Tolentino as they score a 105-86 rout of Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Tolentino converted seven three-pointers to end up with 41 points, to go with five rebounds, three steals and two assists as the Batang Pier scored back-to-back victories to improve to 5-4 win-loss slate.
John Michael Calma added 21 markers, with 12 coming in the first quarter, to go with eight rebounds, while Ilonggo Paul Zamar ended with 14 markers for the Batang Pier.
From a 21-all score after the first quarter, the Batang Pier created separation from the Fuel Masters behind consecutive points from Tolentino and inside shots from Calma and Zamar for a 53-44 halftime lead.
The Batang Pier pulled away further in the second half with Tolentino connecting from the outside as the lead reached its largest at 96-71 after two free throws by Zamar.
Negrense Raul Soyud tallied 16 points, Chris Lalata added 15 markers, while Larry Muyang and RJ Jazul ended with 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters dropped to 3-6.
In the first game, Blackwater Bossing relied on a huge fourth quarter surge to defeat Meralco Bolts, 89-82. The Bossing hiked its record to 6-3, while the Bolts dropped to 6-4 as it saw its three-game winning run snapped.
Clinging to a slim 71-70 lead after three quarters, the Bossing opened the fourth period with connections from Joshua Torralba, Michael Digregorio and Jeth Troy Rosario to build an 85-74 edge.
The Bolts managed to cut it to 85-79 with over two minutes in the contest but a two-pointer from Rosario followed by two free throws from Regile Kent Ilagan sealed the victory for the Bossing.
Rosario top-scored for the Bossing with 21 points to go with nine rebounds, Digregorio added 16 markers, while Rashawn McCarthy ended with 15 points, including four three-point conversions.
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 105 — Tolentino 41, Calma 21, Zamar 14, Yu 8, Munzon 4, Santos 4, Ayaay 3, Balagasay 2, Salado 2, Gabriel 2, Bauzon 2, Comboy 2, Olivario 0, Bulawan 0, Sobrevega 0.
PHOENIX 86 — Soyud 16, Lalata 15, Muyang 13, Jazul 11, Mocon 9, Tio 8, Camacho 6, Celda 5, Manganti 3, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0, Fetalvero 0, Atienza 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21, 53-44, 82-65, 105-86./PN
