NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Arvin Tolentino bucked a scoreless first quarter as NorthPort rallied back from a huge deficit to beat NLEX, 114-87, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Tolentino wound up scoring 29 points as the Batang Pier erupted in the second quarter after trailing 25-9 in the opening period to open the midseason conference on a winning note.
That scoring output came after Tolentino got hurt during the early moments of the contest.
READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino posts triple-double, NorthPort routs Terrafirma
NorthPort also got big contributions from import Kadeem Jack in giving itself a headstart in its quest to finally make the quarterfinals after an early exit in the previous two conferences.
Jack had 25 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals after being a last-minute replacement for Kavell Bigby Williams.
Allyn Bulanadi added 14, Joshua Munzon contributed 12 points, Fran Yu chipped in eight and rookie Evan Nelle had seven rebounds and eight assists despite being scoreless.
But perhaps the most important thing was that NorthPort held its former franchise star Robert Bolick to just three points, equaling his career-low.
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Michael Griffin-Watkins, also a last-minute replacement after NBA veteran Ed Davis backed out, posted 29 points and 19 rebounds for the Road Warriors in a stinging loss.
With Tolentino getting into his usual offensive groove, NorthPort eventually got the lead in the second quarter and went into halftime up 56-41.
The Batang Pier’s hold of the driver seat ballooned in the second half and was ahead by 31 during garbage time.