ARVIN Tolentino believes NorthPort has been playing complacent basketball, leading to its first back-to-back losses in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Victories over top teams Eastern and Barangay Ginebra put the Batang Pier on a high that they appeared satisfied just coasting during their last two outings against Meralco and Rain or Shine.
The end result had the team finally relinquishing its hold of the top spot for the first time after its 127-107 loss to the Elasto Painters, Thursday night at the Philsports Arena.
READ: Rain or Shine snaps out of slump as NorthPort loses winning touch
The Batang Pier fell tied for second spot with Converge at 7-3, allowing idle TNT to sneak in at the no. 1 slot with its 5-2 slate.
When asked if he felt NorthPort has let its guard down after such a strong start, Tolentino answered in the affirmative.
"In my opinion [yes]. From what I saw," he said.
“Back-to-back wins kami against Eastern and Ginebra, talagang mabigat. Easily two of the top teams in the PBA right now and tinalo namin, so medyo high kami on that,” added the 29-year-old forward. “And I guess we didn’t prepare well against Meralco and Rain or Shine.”
Tolentino looked back at a similar pattern after Northport suffered its first loss of the conference against Phoenix.
“Parang same lang din nung nangyari sa Phoenix, we were 5-0 back then and we were also on a high,” he said.
But the good thing is that they remained on track of making the playoffs, and isstill on target of earning a top two finish for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Northport’s final two games in the elims are against defending champion San Miguel and Blackwater.
“We’re good naman, nasa magandang position naman kami. I think we have to win two more para makuha namin yung twice-to-beat,” Tolentino said.
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