Tolentino tallies triple-double as Batang Pier recover with win over Dyip

MANILA, Philippines -- Arvin Tolentino’s triple-double towed the NorthPort Batang Pier to a much-needed PBA Governors' Cup win over the Terrafirma Dyip, 133-107, Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Tolentino scattered 23 points, hauled down 11 rebounds and dished out 10 assists to help NorthPort arrest a two-game losing streak and go up to 3-3 in the season.

It was a wire-to-wire win for the Batang Pier, who started hot and did not let go of the gas pedal.

They led by 22 points, 33-11, at the end of the first quarter and simply did not let up.

The lead grew to as much as 28 points, 69-41, in the third quarter capped by a Tolentino triple.

The Dyip tried to slowly inch closer, cutting the deficit to 13, 96-109, with 7:04 left in the game after a split from the line by Christian Standhardinger.

A 16-5 run capped by a Paolo Taha deuce slammed the door on Terrafirma, 125-101, as NorthPort returned to the win column.

“Kinausap ng coaching staff, especially with Coach Bonnie, kinausap niya iyong buong team how we handle those two losses. Hiningi lang naman namin for today’s game is number one is the energy of the players na kailangan from the start maipakita namin iyong willingness namin to defend,” assistant coach Rensy Bajar said.

“And, we had to control the boards which is nangyari ngayon. Na-control namin iyong rebounding department plus iyong assists department, nagkaroon kami ng magandang chemistry in the presence of our best player na si Arvin,” he added.

“Siya talaga iyong nagtimon from the first quarter.”

Venky Jois led the way for NorthPort with 26 points and 15 rebounds. William Navarro and Cade Flores had 18 and 15 markers, respectively, while Jio Jalalon had 12.

Standhardinger carried the load for Terrafirma with 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Didat Hanapi had 20 points, while Louie Sangalang and Kevin Ferrer had 14 markers each.

The win put NorthPort in a tie with Magnolia for the third spot of Group A play.

The Dyip, meanwhile, dropped to 0-6.