Not just a scorer: Tolentino nets 1st PBA career triple-double as NorthPort snaps skid

MANILA, Philippines – Already proving his status as a premier scorer by becoming the first PBA local to score 50 points in six years, Arvin Tolentino showed he can also be an all-around star.

Tolentino notched his first PBA career triple-double as he steered NorthPort back to the winning track following a 133-107 blowout of luckless Terrafirma in the Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, September 8.

A member of the First Mythical Team last season, Tolentino posted 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to help the Batang Pier snap a two-game skid and improve to an even 3-3 record in Group A.

“That is one of my goals,” Tolentino said in Filipino when asked about his desire to showcase the other facets of his game.

“For the past few conferences, I led the team in scoring. I want rebounds because rebounding requires effort. You get assists by playing with your teammates, getting your teammates involved. I’ve been working on those ever since.”

“I’ve been leading the team in scoring for a few conferences and other teams have taken note. I have to be mature enough to recognize that.”

Tolentino has been enjoying a stellar start to the season after netting 51 points in a 135-109 thrashing of Converge, becoming the first PBA local to hit the half-century mark since Stanley Pringle dropped 50 points in 2018.

But on Sunday, Tolentino turned his focus on spreading the wealth, with his 9 assists in the first half allowing NorthPort to seize a commanding 62-41 lead en route to the 26-point rout.

Import Venky Jois topscored for the Batang Pier with 26 points on top of 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals as he bounced back after sitting out their 105-94 loss to Magnolia four days prior due to an ankle injury.

Also out last game with an ankle injury, William Navarro made his presence felt in the win by netting 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Cade Flores added 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, while Jio Jalalon tallied 12 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds for NorthPort, which gifted head coach Bonnie Tan the fitting victory a day before his 52nd birthday.

A First Mythical Team member like Tolentino, Christian Standhardinger turned in arguably his best outing for the Dyip with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, but those were not enough for Terrafirma to break through.

Standhardinger left the game with under four minutes remaining due to an apparent knee injury as the Dyip remained winless and slumped to their sixth straight defeat.

Rookie Didat Hanapi made a good account of himself in the loss, churning out 20 points.

Terrafirma import Antonio Hester continued his struggles as he got limited to just 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 3 assists in nearly 24 minutes of play.

The Scores

NorthPort 133 – Jois 26, Tolentino 23, Navarro 18, Flores 15, Jalalon 12, Amores 8, Onwubere 7, Munzon 6, Taha 6, Yu 5, Nelle 3, Tratter 2, Bulanadi 2, Cuntapay 0.

Terrafirma 107 – Standhardinger 22, Hanapi 20, Ferrer 14, Sangalang 14, Hester 12, Pringle 10, Hernandez 5, Ramos 5, Cahilig 5, Olivario 0.

Quarters: 33-11, 62-41, 96-75, 133-107.

– Rappler.com