Facing against the team that drafted and traded him to the NorthPort Batang Pier, Arvin Tolentino admitted he had 'extra motivation" in leading his squad past the mighty Barangay Ginebra side.
NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino and the rest of the Batang Pier reaped what they sowed by sacrificing a long holiday break and returned to practice immediately.
That is claiming a victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel--a feat that was six years in the making.
Tolentino admitted that he initiated a quick return to practice towards his teammates and NorthPort coaches right after Christmas that paved the way to a crucial 119-116 win against Gin Kings in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup duel.
“I asked the coaches and players also na kung pwede after Christmas, mag-practice kami. Kasi we can’t afford to do the almost two weeks na walang practice. Mawawala ka sa timing at basketball shape,” Tolentino said in One News' Play By Play.
Entering their showdown with Ginebra, the Batang Pier last saw action last December 20, 2024 in a 120-113 win over guest team Eastern which meant the Batang Pier had a three-week break in between.
Knowing they are on a roll and can’t afford to let their guards down, Tolentino and Co. used the break wisely and stayed in game-shape, preparing for the match-up against the crowd-favorite squad.
It resulted in the biggest win possible with NorthPort ending a six-year, 14–game losing skid and claiming their first win at Ginebra’s expense since Game 1 of the 2019 PBA Governor’s Cup semifinals.
Import Kadeem Jack finished with a monster 32-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Player of the Game Joshua Munzon had 27 points and 6 dimes for a league-best 7-1 win-loss record.
[ALSO READ: NorthPort strengthens hold of top spot, subdues Ginebra for 7th win in PBA Comm's Cup]
For Tolentino —who ended up with 29 points, six threes and five rebounds— the 29-year-old forward admitted to having extra motivation facing the team that drafted and eventually traded him to NorthPort.
“To be honest, meron. I’m sure lahat naman ng player na nate-trade may ganoong mindset. The whole team and the management is very happy sa panalo namin [laban sa Ginebra,” the two-time champion revealed.
Tolentino added: “Nag-prepare talaga ako this game. Nung laro, nasa isip ko lang is really help the team win. At the moment, kung ano ‘yung kailangan ng team, ‘yun ‘yung bibigay ko.”
With four games left in their elimination round campaign, the two-time PBA All-Star insisted that the Batang Pier is not looking ahead and will take it one-game at a time for a strong finish.
“We’re focusing on Meralco first. We’re taking it one step at a time. We really can’t look ahead.”
[ALSO READ: NorthPort is here to win, says coach Bonnie Tan: 'Hindi 'yung basta-bastang nandito lang']