Arvin Tolentino delivered an extraordinary performance, scoring a career-high 51 points as NorthPort Batang Pier dominated Converge FiberXers in a decisive 135-109 victory during the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on 29 August, 2024. Tolentino’s remarkable feat made him the first local player to score over 50 points in six years, a milestone last achieved by Stanley Pringle in 2018 when he was also with NorthPort.
Tolentino, a key figure in NorthPort’s lineup and a contender for the PBA’s First Mythical Team, was unstoppable throughout the game. He converted 15 of his 27 field goal attempts, including 10-of-14 from two-point range and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. His 51-point performance surpassed his previous career-best of 35 points, which he set last season.
TNT defeats Magnolia in a tight contest
Reflecting on the win, Tolentino emphasised the collective effort of his team. “This team is not a one-man team, as many people think. We play as a unit, and we enjoy playing together,” he said. The game was a testament to NorthPort’s team cohesion, with four other players scoring in double digits. Joshua Munzon supported Tolentino with 19 points, while Jio Jalalon, Damie Cuntapay, and Will Navarro contributed 13, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
Tolentino made his presence felt early, scoring 22 points in the first half alone, which helped NorthPort establish a commanding 68-49 lead at halftime. The Batang Pier continued to dominate in the second half, extending their lead to as much as 29 points by the third quarter, effectively sealing the victory.
For Converge, Scotty Hopson led the charge with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the lopsided defeat. With this win, NorthPort improved to a 2-1 record in Group A, while Converge dropped to 2-2.
In another Group A showdown, the TNT Tropang Giga returned to the winning column with a hard-fought 88-82 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played a pivotal role in TNT’s success, filling the stat sheet with 32 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 assists. His late-game heroics, including a crucial three-pointer and a game-sealing steal and slam, propelled TNT to victory after trailing by two points, 80-78, with just over three minutes remaining.
TNT’s balanced attack also saw contributions from Rey Nambatac, who added 15 points, and Roger Pogoy and Brian Heruela, who chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively. For Magnolia, import Glenn Robinson III led with 19 points, but his efforts fell short as the Hotshots slipped to a 1-2 record.
The PBA Governors’ Cup action continues, with teams vying for supremacy in the highly competitive tournament.
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