MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier leaned on Arvin Tolentino’s heroics in the endgame to beat Terrafirma Dyip, 104-100, in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 97-99 with under two minutes left, Tolentino swung the lead to the Batang Pier at 100-99 with a three-point conversion before he converted a layup to widen the advantage to 102-99 with 49 seconds left.
Terrafirma still had a chance to pull closer but George Isaac Go managed just a free throw before Tolentino sealed the come-from-behind victory with two free throws with 16 seconds left.
Tolentino finished the game with 28 points, including three outside conversions, to go with nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks as the Batang Pier snapped its losing skid to improve to 4-4.
Ilonggo Paul Zamar added 21 markers while also making three outside conversions, John Michael Calma contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, while Joshua Munzon ended with 14 for NorthPort.
Juan Miguel Tiongson led the way for the Dyip with 25 points, Javi Gomez de Liano and Angelo Alolino added 19 and 16 points, respectively, while Go and Aldrech Ramos had 11 each. They dropped to 3-6.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued its unbeaten run in the pre-season tournament with a 94-65 domination over San Miguel Beermen. The Hotshots improved to 8-0, while the Beermen dropped to 3-7.
The Hotshots went to work early as they established a 24-14 lead behind conversions from James Laput, Calvin Abueva and Jerrick Ahanmisi before they widened it to 48-35 at the half with inside shots from Laput.
The Beermen went on a huge run in the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 56-66 but the Hotshots had a quick response from Ahanmisi, Laput and Joseph Eriobu as the lead reached its largest at 29 points.
Laput finished with double-double 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for the Hotshots, Ahanmisi added 13 markers, while Jalalon and Abu Tratter contributed 11 points each.
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 104 – Tolentino 28, Zamar 21, Calma 18, Munzon 14, Santos 8, Ayaay 6, Salado 4, Yu 3, Gabriel 2, Balagasay 0, Sobrevega 0, Bauzon 0.
TERRAFIRMA 100 – Tiongson 25, Gomez de Liano 19, Alolino 16, Ramos 11, Go 11, Mina 9, Daquioag 4, Cahilig 3, Calvo 2, Grospe 0.
Quarterscores: 30-18, 52-43, 83-76, 104-100./PN
