As undoubtedly the face of the NorthPort franchise, Arvin Tolentino can take satisfaction within the Batang Pier’s continued rise within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup following an enormous midweek win over Barangay Ginebra.
“Very comfortable due to having fun with that successful feeling once more, being No. 1 [in the team standings],” Tolentino stated after the Batang Pier’s 119-116 escape act on Wednesday night time at Philsports Area in Pasig Metropolis.
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NorthPort improved to a league-best 7-1 file after the character-building outcome that each one however assured the staff’s spot within the quarterfinals, one thing it has not reached within the final two conferences.
Led by Tolentino, import Kadeem Jack, Joshua Munzon plus William Navarro and Cade Flores, the Batang Pier constructed an 18-point fourth-quarter lead then confirmed true character regardless of squandering the massive hole whereas benefiting from a pair of miscues late by Justin Brownlee to provide a victory not seen in 5 years.
It was NorthPort’s first win over Ginebra since Dec. 14, 2019, in Recreation 1 of the Governors’ Cup semifinals. The Gin Kings received the subsequent 14 showdowns with the Batang Pier.
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“It’s a press release win for us,” declared Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan. “The query coming into this recreation is whether or not we might win towards the large groups.
“However we hope that with this win, we’ve proved that we’re right here to win video games. And we’re right here to be aggressive, and never simply be every other staff,” he added.
Clearly, there was pleasure contained in the NorthPort locker room, however with 4 video games left within the Batang Pier’s elimination-round schedule, issues could get more durable the remainder of the way in which.
Up subsequent for NorthPort are Meralco (4-3) on Tuesday, second-running Rain or Shine (5-1) on Thursday and unusually struggling San Miguel Beer (3-4) on Jan. 21. The classification schedule for NorthPort concludes on Jan. 25 towards lowly Blackwater.
Friday video games
“It feels nice … for now,” Tolentino stated. “After all, there’s nonetheless an extended method to go. And like I at all times say, we rejoice till midnight, however it’s again to work the subsequent day and we stay up for the subsequent recreation.”
The Batang Pier’s victory got here amid the eye surrounding staff governor Erick Arejola’s involvement in a brawl that includes gamers and oldsters of each La Salle Zobel and Arandia Faculty within the NBTC qualifier the earlier weekend in Las Pinas Metropolis.
Arejola was mum about his half within the incident, which turned viral after movies surfaced on social media.
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Ginebra dropped to 5-3 regardless of taking a one-point lead within the fourth, with Brownlee uncharacteristically lacking the second of three free throws and slipping on the baseline, with an opportunity to tie the sport on each events.
Motion continues on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium with Magnolia seeking to get its acts again along with a 2-5 slate towards winless Terrafirma at 5 p.m. earlier than Meralco performs NLEX at 7:30 p.m.
