Arvin Tolentino fuels NorthPort's strong first half showing in its match against TNT in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
Arvin Tolentino dropped 22 of his 29 points in the first half as NorthPort cruised to a fourth straight victory via a 112-96 beatdown of TNT in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on on Friday, April 5.
Showing no rust despite a near month-long break, the Batang Pier sustained their red-hot streak, with Tolentino's early heroics setting the tone for the romp.
The Tropang Giga rallied behind RR Pogoy's own 28-point explosion in the second half but it still was not enough as they fell to their third loss in five games.
NorthPort raced to a 32-18 lead in the first quarter which they stretched to a 61-34 separation at the break.
Batang Pier refused to let up from there as they hiked their advantage to as much as 32 points, 66-34, on a trey by Tolentino at the start of the third.
But Pogoy countered with his own triple as he anchored the Tropang Giga's fightback from there.
Kim Aurin helped Pogoy's cause as he uncorked a three-pointer to cap TNT's 14-5 tear that cut the deficit to 71-90 at the 9:14 mark of the fourth.
Pogoy, who finished with a 7-for-12 clip from deep, struck anew with back-to-back baskets from downtown further trim what once seemed like an insurmountable disadvantage to 15, 103-88, with 2:51 left on the clock.
Unfortunately, the Tropang Giga's efforts did little to stop streaking NorthPort on its tracks.
JM Calma backstopped Tolentino as he posted career-highs in points (22) and rebounds (13) for the Batang Pier. Joshua Munzon added 14 markers.
Aurin fired five triples on his way to 18 points while Calvin Oftana put up an all-around outing of 13 markers, nine boards, four assists and three steals.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 112 – Tolentino 29, Calma 22, Munzon 14, Flores 9, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 6, Lucero 6, Taha 5, Rosales 4, Amores 3, Paraiso 3, Adamos 2, Zamar 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
TNT 96 – Pogoy 34, Aurin 18, Oftana 13, Galinato 7, Montalbo 6, Khobuntin 5, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Castro 4, Ponferrada 3, K.Williams 2, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Reyes 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0, Ebona 0.
Quarterscores: 32-18, 61-34, 85-57, 112-96