Arvin Tolentino came up with near triple-double numbers in NorthPort's Game 4 win over the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semis.
Arvin Tolentino talked about keeping a positive mindset despite NorthPort's precarious position in its race-to-four semifinal contest against Brgy. Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
Down 0-3 against the Gin Kings, Tolentino's attitude bore fruit as the Batang Pier evaded a sweep via a 108-103 win in Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, March. 5.
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Tolentino contributed 20 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists in that much-needed win that kept NorthPort alive following three straight lopsided losses. He also had four steals and a block.
“I just really had to kasi kung hindi, wala na, out na kami. Like what you said, find a way. We, as a team, found a way today. Sarap naman sa feeling na panalo. Nanalo rin,” said Tolentino.
The Batang Pier displayed the energy they lacked in the first three games of the series to finally break through.
“Ang No. 1 pointed out [by the coaching staff], 'yung energy. Ngayon, wala kaming masabi sa ipinakita ng players especially sa first part ng game,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar.
Indeed, the Batang Pier made the extra effort on both ends from the get-go.
They never let up to go ahead, 104-93, with 4:07 left in the match on Jack’s jumper.
The NorthPort Batang Pier can finally smile after scoring one over the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
But it was not easy to shake off the Gin Kings.
RJ Abarrientos stepped up on defense for Ginebra, stripping the ball from Evan Nelle’s hands twice to allow the Gin Kings to close in, 100-104.
Stephen Holt then nailed a corner triple off Abarrientos’ kickout pass to trim what was once a double-digit deficit to one, 103-104.
But the Batang Pier, eager to stay alive, did not give up until the final buzzer.
NorthPort import Kadeem Jack hit a turnaround jumper to extinguish the Gin Kings' fiery run amid defeaning jeers from the Ginebra faithful.
Jack finished with 39 points, 15 rebounds and five assists for the Batang Pier.
William Navarro and Joshua Munzon added 16 and 14 points, respectively.
Seven Gin Kings finished in double figures, but their efforts were not enough to flip the script on the rejuvenated Batang Pier.
Justine Brownlee paced Ginebra with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Abarrientos also scored 18 points on top of two rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Troy Rosario produced 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Holt had 15 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 108 – Jack 39, Tolentino 20, Navarro 16, Munzon 14, Taha 11, Nelle 3, Bulanadi 3, Miranda 2, Onwubere 0.
GINEBRA 103 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 15, Malonzo 12, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 2, Gray 0, Cu 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 54-50, 84-74, 108-103