PBA: Arvin Tolentino erupts for 51 points to tow NorthPort past Converge

Arvin Tolentino made history on Thursday as he erupted for a career-high 51 points in NorthPort's 135-109 win against Converge on Thursday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Batang Pier star caught fire and drilled five triples en route to the historic feat. 

NorthPort started strong as it led 38-24 in the first quarter, 12 of which came from Tolentino. The surge continued for the Batang Pier as they led by 29 points, 96-67, in the third period before the said frame closed at 100-77.

Tolentino became the first local player in six years to score more than 50 points since Stanley Pringle in the 2018 Commissioner's Cup where he scored 50 for GlobalPort against Columbian Dyip then.

Before tonight, the last 51-point game came from Asi Taulava back in the 2004 Fiesta Conference where Talk 'N Text defeated Purefoods, 131-105.

The feat also came just days after Justin Brownlee registered 51 points in Barangay Ginebra's 108-102 win against San Miguel and Jordan Adams' 50 in San Miguel's 128-108 victory against Blackwater.

Joshua Munzon added 19 points, while Jio Jalalon and Damie Cuntapay chipped in 13 and 11 points respectively for NorthPort. Import Venky Jois was limited to six points.

Scotty Hopson, meanwhile, had 24 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a steal, while Alec Stockton led the Converge locals with 19 points.

The win improved NorthPort's standings to 2-1, while Converge slipped to 2-2 in Group A.

Scores:

NorthPort 135 – Tolentino 51, Munzon 19, Jalalon 13, Cuntapay 11, Navarro 10, Yu 6, Jois 6, Bulanadi 6, Nelle 5, Amores 4, Onwubere 2, Taha 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0.

Converge 109 – Hopson 24, Stockton 19, Arana 16, Winston 16, Santos 12, Racal 8, Delos Santos 6, Nieto 4, Maagdenberg 2, melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Fleming 0, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0.

Quarters: 38-24, 68-49, 100-77, 135-109.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News