NORTHPORT started its PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup stint with a 97-75 win over Terrafirma on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Arvin Tolentino had 19 points and 12 assists for the Batang Pier, and was two rebounds shy of a double-double to begin the new conference after winning the Best Player of the Conference in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Dyip lost their second straight game to fall to 1-2.
William Navarro also had a double-double after he added 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Joshua Munzon supplied 15 points and two steals for NorthPort.
READ: Arvin singles out Munzon as he lists major NorthPort gains
Tolentino would have had his fourth triple-double of his career, third with Terrafirma, had he grabbed two more rebounds, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
NorthPort got off to a fast start by ending the first quarter with a 24-13 lead, before finishing the game with a 27-17 fourth quarter.
The Batang Pier are out to repeat their Commissioner’s Cup performance where they topped the eliminations before falling to Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals.
“Number one, ‘yung play namin in terms of assists and ball movement, maganda ‘yung ball movement namin. We had 27 assists na sana ma-capitalize namin in our next games,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar.
CJ Catapusan had 16 points and five rebounds, while Kevin Ferrer added 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals for the Dyip.
The scores:
NorthPort 97 – Tolentino 19, Navarro 18, Munzon 15, Bulanadi 10, Onwubere 10, Cuntapay 8, Yu 6, Nelle 6, Flores 3, Taha 2, Miranda 0, Tratter 0, Nava 0.
Terrafirma 75 – Catapusan 16, Ferrer 15, Sangalang 10, Paraiso 10, Nonoy 9, Ramos 3, Melecio 3, Pringle 2, Romeo 2, Hernandez 2, Olivario 2, Zaldivar 1, Hanapi 0.
Quarters: 24-13; 47-38; 70-58; 97-75.
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