ARVIN Tolentino exploded for a career-high 41 points and steered Northport to a 105-86 blowout of Phoenix in the PBA On Tour.
Tolentino waxed hot on a cold Friday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, scoring 27 points in the second half when the Batang Pier ripped the game apart.
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The Gilas Pilipinas stalwart went 7-of-11 from three point range and completed a rare point-play early in the fourth quarter to give Northport an 88-69 lead.
He could have scored even more but coach Bonnie Tan took him out of the game for good at the final 5:24 mark and the Batang Pier holding a 23-point lead.
Tolentino's 41 points equalled the preseason best registered by San Miguel's Jericho Cruz in a 113-111 overtime loss to Converge.
"He wants to prove something. Na-challenge siya when I said the last time na maging consistent lang," said coach Bonne Tan.
"We need a leader. And he wants to take that slot as a leader. So sabi ko you have to perform every game consistently."
Sophomore big man JM Calma backed up Tolentino with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Paul Zamar rebounded from a bad first half to finish with 14.
The Batang Pier won for the second straight game and improved to 5-4.
Phoenix got 16 points from the comebacking Raoul Soyud, 15 from Chris Lalata, and a double-double by Larry Muyang with his 13 and 12 rebounds.
But those numbers were not enough for the Fuel Masters, who fell to their third straight loss for a 3-6 record.
The scores:
Northport (105) - Tolentino 41, Calma 21, Zamar 14, Yu 8, Munzon 4, Santos 4, Ayaay 3, Bauzon 2, Gabriel 2, Balagasay 2, Salado 2, Sobrevega 0, Bulawan 0, Olivario 0.
Phoenix (86) - Soyud 16, Lalata 15, Muyang 13, Jazul 11, Mocon 9, Tio 8, Camacho 6, Celda 5, Manganti 3, Garcia 0, Alejandro 0, Fetalvero 0, Atienza 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21; 53-44; 82-65; 105-86.
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