ARVIN Tolentino did something no local player has done in six years, scoring 51 points as NorthPort dominated Converge, 135-109, on Thursday in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Tolentino notched the career-high and became the first local player to reach the 50-point plateau since Stanley Pringle, still playing for the NorthPort franchise, knocked down 50 last June 22, 2018 in GlobalPort’s 133-115 over Columbian.
NorthPort improved to 2-1 thanks to Tolentino’s offensive brilliance while dealing the FiberXers their second loss in four outings.
It also took 20 years for a local player to score 51 again since Asi Taulava did so during Talk ‘N Text’s 131-105 win over Magnolia in 2004.
Allan Caidic and Rudy Distrito were the last homegrown players to hit more than 50 points, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, on November 21, 1991 when Caidic made a league-high 79 points and Distrito 54 in Tivoli’s 162-149 win over Ginebra.
LIST: Highest-scoring games by PBA players in 2000s
Tolentino shot 15-of-27 from the field – 10-of-14 from two-point range and 5-of-10 from threes – while also nailing all 16 free throws.
The First Mythical Team Member for the 48th Season breached the 50-point barrier with 2:01 left in the fourth on a jumper from the left wing, and was replaced shortly thereafter, receiving high fives from NorthPort coaches and players.
Tolentino was already one point away from his previous career high of 35 he set last November 12 at entering the fourth after a 13-point third quarter. By then, NorthPort had already hit the century mark with a 100-77 lead.
Tolentino was teary-eyed when informed about the magnitude of the feat.
“I felt na maganda ang tinatakbo ng team especially on transition and on defense. Siguro, na-suwerte lang na dumarating sa akin ‘yung bola at nasu-shoot ko naman,” said Tolentino.
Joshua Munzon had 19 points and five steals, while Jio Jalalon added 13 points and two steals to set the tone for NorthPort on defense.
Scotty Hopson, who nailed a game-winning four against TNT just last Tuesday, finished with 24 points while Alec Stockton backed him up with 19 points.
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, Vigan-Fleming 0, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0.
Quarters: 38-24; 68-50; 100-77; 135-109.
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