ARVIN Tolentino came to the rescue for Northport, hitting the game-winning jumper as the Batang Pier survived a second half explosion by Blackwater, 115-113, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday.
Tolentino nailed the clutch jumper that broke a 113 deadlock with seven seconds left over the outstretched arm of rookie Christian David.
The Bossing had the chance to salvage the win but Rey Nambatac's desperation three-point failed to hit the mark at the buzzer, allowing Northport to escape with the thrilling win.
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Tolentino finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in the win that finally halted Northport’s skid and kept the team’s quarterfinal hopes alive as it ended its campaign in the eliminations with a 5-6 standings.
The former Gilas Pilipinas player had 10 points in the final quarter including the last eight points of the Batang Pier inside the final 1:42 mark.
His two free throws with 47 seconds finally tied the game at 113 after the Batang Pier earlier trailed by six.
Northport also got solid contributions from Joshua Munzon with 16 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and surprise starter rookie Danny Cuntapay, who finished with 15 points including 5-of-8 from three-point range and was actually responsible for helping the Batang Pier lead by as many as 19 as he waxed hot early on in the game at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The loss stretched Blackwater’s losing slide to six for a 3-6 record and put to naught the season-highs of veteran Troy Rosario (33 points) and rookie Christian David (26 points).
But the Bossing battled their way back after scoring 33 and 32 points in the final two quarters as Rosario, playing with a bandage on his left eye after being hit by an accidental elbow by teammate Tyrus Hill, and David caught fire in the second half.
A three-point shot by David inside the five minute mark finally put Blackwater on top after a long chase, 106-105, before stretching the lead to 113-107 as Rosario completed a three-point play off a William Navarro foul.
Its chance of advancing to the next round getting slimmer, Blackwater still needs to win its final two assignments against undefeated San Miguel and Phoenix to stay in the hunt for the last quarterfinals berth.
The scores:
Northport (115) - Tolentino 27, Munzon 16, Cuntapay 15, Lucero 14, Yu 11, Rosales 7, Chan 7, Flores 6, Zamar 5, Navarro 5, Bulanadi 2.
Blackwater (113) - Rosario 33, David 26, Chua 11, Nambatac 10, Casio 9, Kwekuteye 7, Hill 5, Suerte 5, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Sena 0, Escoto 0, Jopia 0, Tungcab 0.
Quarterscores: 32-30; 66-48; 88-81; 115-113.
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