NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino. –PBA IMAGES
Arvin Tolentino scored 22 points in his first PBA On Tour game which saw NorthPort clobber Blackwater, 112-95, on Friday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Tolentino came off the bench to make eight of 19 shots while adding five rebounds, two steals and two blocks in almost 24 minutes to help the Batang Pier record their second straight victory after a 0-2 start in the exhibition series.
The third-year forward sat out the previous three games as he was given a rest by NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan following his key role in Gilas Pilipinas’ hard-fought gold medal run in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games.
“We’re just happy that he’s back in the roster because he’s going to help us a lot, particularly on the offensive end,” said coach Bonnie Tan, who expects Tolentino to raise his game following the departure of Robert Bolick.
NorthPort once again drew splendid games from Paul Zamar, JM Calma and Joshua Munzon in defeating Blackwater.
Zamar scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half, Calma had 16 points, four rebounds and two steals while Munzon added 19 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Troy Rosario posted 17 points and six rebounds for the Bossing, who lost for the second time in four outings.
Blackwater guard RK Ilagan added 15 points in 18 minutes.
The scores:
NORTHPORT 112—Tolentino 22, Munzon 19, Zamar 17, Calma 16, Taha 11, Ayaay 7, Bauzon 7, Salado 7, Santos 4, Bulawan 2, Balagasay 0, Olivario 0, Sobrevega 0.
BLACKWATER 95–Rosario 17, Ilagan 15, Hill 12, Amer 11, McCarthy 11, Suerte 7, Banal 6, Sena 5, Publico 4, Taha 3, Ayonayon 3, Escoto 1, Ular 0.
Quarters: 32-19, 51-37, 85-69, 112-95.