NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Northport began the PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign on the right foot, thanks in large part to Arvin Tolentino.
Sans previous conference stars, the Batang Pier started out the first week of the league’s newest season unscathed after two games.
In their most recent win against Rain or Shine, 113-103, at Ynares Center, Antipolo on Sunday, Tolentino had his breakout game with a career-high 35-point explosion.
His performance against the Elasto Painters, added with his outing against Terrafirma in Northport’s season opener, saw him average 25.5 points in the first week with a blistering 37.5 percent shooting clip from three.
His stellar start for the Batang Pier made him the first recipient of the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the new season.
Northport, which hovered around the bottom part of the standings in last season’s Governors’ Cup, are currently atop the ladder with a 2-0 record alongside Magnolia and Meralco, which also boasts the same card.
Tolentino zoomed past Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge of the Bolts and Hotshots Paul Lee and Mark Barroca for the Player of the Week plum.
To add more splendor to the Batang Pier’s commendable start, they also have another weekly plum won by Cade Flores.
The Arellano product won Rookie of the Week honors with norms of 9.5 markers and 10.5 boards per game.