NorthPort turned to stalwart Arvin Tolentino to save what could have been a lost cause for the Batang Pier after squandering a 19-point lead against Blackwater.
Arvin Tolentino unloaded NorthPort's last eight points as the Batang Pier salvaged a 115-113 victory against Blackwater to fan their playoff hopes in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Caloocan Sports Complex on Saturday, April 27.
Tolentino finished with a team-high 27 points he spiked with 11 rebounds and seven assists to help NorthPort check a five-game skid and close out its elimination round campaign at 5-6.
Troy Rosario and Christian David combined for 59 points as they fueled the Bossing's spirited fightback from 19 points down but fell short in the end.
Blackwater, which was also looking to improve its quarterfinal chances, instead absorbed its sixth loss in nine games.
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The Batang Pier lost hold of an 84-65 lead halfway in the third quarter as Rosario and David rallied the Bossing to gain the upperhand in the fourth, 107-113, with under two minutes to go.
But Tolentino silenced Blackwater from there as he came up with the huge baskets for NorthPort, capped by the game-winning jumper with nine seconds to go.
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Nambatac tried to come up with his own potential-game winning trey for the Bossing but could not find his mark.
Tolentino scored 8-for-18 from the field and made 10-of-13 of his freebies in producing his offensive output for the Batang Pier. Joshua Munzon contributed 16 points, five rebounds and six assists to back Tolentino.
Damie Cuntapay dropped 15 all on triples as he went on a 62 percent clip from long range while Zave Lucero added 14 points and Fran Yu, 11.
Rosario had a stellar night of 33 points (70 percent shooting clip), nine rebounds and six assists for Blackwater which also drew an impressive career-high 26 points and 15 rebounds from David.
Justin Chua chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds while Nambatac scored 10 and dished out seven assists for the Bossing.