Arvin Tolentino drops triple-double vs. Terrafirma as NorthPort goes 2-0

Arvin Tolentino was on fire on both ends as NorthPort thrashed the struggling Terrafirma, 113-101, and kept its perfect record so far in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. 

The veteran wingman dropped a triple-double outing of 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists to help the Batang Pier improve to 2-0 and tie guest team Eastern atop the ladder. The Dyip, meanwhile, fell to a 0-2 hole. 

"Right now, nag-start pa lang 'yung chemistry ng team, especially that we have a new import in Kadeem Jack, but still, we're hoping that itong dalawang game na napanalo namin ay maging boost namin this conference," NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar said. 

"We have a lot of things to do pa."

NorthPort, which was fresh off a similar lopsided 114-87 victory against NLEX last Thursday, was quick to impose its will by establishing a 56-40 halftime lead. 

However, the Dyip banked on the hot hands of newly-traded veteran Vic Manuel and rookie Mark Nonoy to mount a comeback against the Batang Pier. 

Nonoy, playing just his second game in the professional ranks, buried back-to-back triples to cut the deficit to 15, 76-91. However, NorthPort hung tough in the endgame with Paolo Taha giving his side the biggest lead at 106-83 with still 4:36 to go in the fourth. 

Kevin Ferrer caught fire late by knocking down two straight triples to make it another 15-point game, but their fightback came a little too late as NorthPort refused to collapse. 

NorthPort reinforcement Kadeem Jack continued to impress with a double-double of 32 points and 15 rebounds alongside two assists, two blocks, and one steal while Fran Yu chipped in 13 markers, 10 dimes, two boards, and two steals. 

Manuel, who was playing his first game in a Terrafirma uniform, paced Dyip with 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Nonoy posted 21 markers, three boards, two dimes, and two steals. 

Scores:

NorthPort 113 – Jack 32, Tolentino 21, Yu 13, Munzon 12, Navarro 10, Nelle 9, Bulanadi 5, Onwubere 5, Taha 4, Flores 2, Tratter 0, Cuntapay 0.

Terrafirma 101 – Manuel 23, Nonoy 21, Pringle 15, Ferrer 14, Sangalang 12, Ramos 10, Melecio 3, Olivario 0, Catapusan 3, Paraiso 0, Hernandez 0, Zaldivar 0.

Quarters:  32-24, 56-40, 85-69, 113-101.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News