IT did not take long for Arvin Tolentino to make his mark with his new team.
A day after his transfer from Barangay Ginebra in a huge trade that centered on sophomore big man Jamie Malonzo, the sweet-shooting gunner quickly made his presence felt with Northport in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.
See Coach Pido explains no choice but to unload Subido and Co. after trade
The 6-foot-5 wingman from Far Eastern University stepped up to the plate and provided a much-needed firepower for the Batang Pier, who came seconds away from slaying the PBA powerhouse guest team Bay Area Dragons in a thriller over the weekend.
Tolentino was everywhere for the Batang Pier, scattering averages of 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals as the team split its first two games on opening week.
His all-around numbers included an impressive 47 percent accuracy (7/15) from downtown, thus earning a unanimous nod as the tournament’s first Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Sept. 21-24.
“Ang iniisip ko, gusto ako ni coach Pido (Jarencio). Gusto ako ng NorthPort. I don’t want to think na ayaw sa akin ng Ginebra,” said Tolentino, picked 10th overall by the Gin Kings in the 2019 draft.
“I want to prove to them na hindi sila nagkamali. ‘Yun ‘yung mentality na nilalagay ko.”
With little time to adjust, he posted 16 points, six rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four blocks as the Batang Pier pulled off a 92-89 comeback win over Phoenix Super LPG.
Tolentino had a double-double of 22 markers and 10 boards, though the Batang Pier fell just short, 105-104, after a Myles Powell’ game-winning trey at the buzzer.
Also considered for the weekly citation from the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat were Tolentino’s NorthPort teammate Robert Bolick and Blackwater’s Baser Amer, Troy Rosario, and Rashawn McCarthy.
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