PBA: Arvin Tolentino drops 51 as NorthPort clobbers Converge

Arvin Tolentino went on an offensive outburst not seen in six years. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PARANAQUE––Amid the ongoing standoff regarding Dave Ildefonso's contract negotiation that cost Converge assistant coach Danny Ildefonso PHP20,000 due to his remarks that alleged NorthPort of being a "farm team", Arvin Tolentino showed what the Batang Pier are capable of with or without the younger Ildefonso.

Tolentino became the first local in six years to hit 50 or more as NorthPort trampled Converge, 135-109, in their PBA Governors' Cup game on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Tolentino in particular scored 51 points on 15-of-27 shooting to lead the Batang Pier to their second straight win.

"Siguro swerte lang na dumarating sa akin ang bola at nashu-shoot naman," said Tolentino, who also tallied six rebounds while going perfect from the free-throw line at 16-of-16.

Tolentino became the first player to score at least 50 after Stanley Pringle hit the mark in a 2018 game when he was still with NorthPort.

Joshua Munzon added 19 points, two rebounds, three assists, and five steals for the Batang Pier, who moved up to 2-1, joining the TNT Tropang Giga, who will play the Magnolia Hotshots later Thursday, and Meralco Bolts on top of Group A.

Scotty Hopson, two nights after hitting the game-winning four against TNT, was held to 24 points alongside 10 rebounds, seven assists, and one steal for Converge, which failed to get solo first place in the said group and dropped to 2-2.

The Scores:

NORTHPORT 135 – Tolentino 51, Munzon 19, Jalalon 13, Cuntapay 11, Navarro 10, Yu 6, Jois 6, Bulanadi 6, Nelle 5, Amores 4, Onwubere 2, Taha 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0

CONVERGE 109 – Hopson 24, Stockton 19, Arana 16, Winston 16, Santos 12, Racal 8, Delos Santos 6, Nieto 4, Maagdenberg 2, melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Fleming 0, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0

QUARTERS: 38-24, 68-49, 100-77, 135-109

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