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| Arvin Tolentino's late heroics spoiled explosions from Christian David and Troy Rosario. PBA Images |
MANILA--Arvin Tolentino hit the go-ahead basket to lift NorthPort past Blackwater, 115-113, in their PBA Philippine Cup game on Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
In a battle between slumping teams, Tolentino capped a late takeover by scoring a stepback jumper with nine seconds left to give the Batang Pier the lead.
Rey Nambatac tried to win it for the Bossing, but he missed a long three-pointer, and Tolentino secured the game-saving rebound.
Tolentino finished with 27 points, scoring the last eight points of the game within the final 1:29, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks to lead NorthPort, which ended its elimination round stint at 5-6, snapping a five-game slide.
Joshua Munzon added 16 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals as his team, which is momentarily in eighth place, will now have to wait if they stay inside the quarterfinal cutoff.
Troy Rosario's 33-point blast on 12-for-17 shooting with nine rebounds and six assists went down the drain as Blackwater's own quarterfinal bid hit another snag with its sixth straight loss after a 3-0 start.
Christian David's own breakout game with 26 points, 15 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and two steals was also flushed by Tolentino's clutch heroics.
The outcome assured Ginebra, which will play Converge later Saturday at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Cagayan De Oro, an outright quarterfinal seat.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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