NorthPort Batang Pier’s Arvin Tolentino explodes for 36 points in win over Hong Kong Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Northport’s Arvin Tolentino used an age-old motivation against guest team Eastern in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup clash at Philsports Arena on Friday.
Tolentino looked at their opponent from Hong Kong as “dayo (visitor)” and his competitive form reached an all-time high.
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READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino drops 36 as NorthPort beats Hong Kong
“It’s always fun when you’re facing a ‘dayo.’ Another big factor here is we really wanted to win and that’s what happened today. I’m happy that I got to play well today. I try to be smart every game, that’s my approach,” said Tolentino after their 120-113 win against Eastern.
“We also had an advantage because they just played in the EASL (East Asia Super League) the other day.”
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Eastern played San Miguel Beer, 71-62, in Hong Kong for the EASL.
READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino becomes highest-scoring local in 20 years
Taking advantage of the guest team’s fatigue, Tolentino dazzled his way to 35 points in an efficient 62.5 percent field goal shooting clip. He missed just six out of his 16 shots from the field.
He also snagged six rebounds and three assists, all without committing a single turnover, much to the delight of coach Bonnie Tan.
“You saw Arvin today, [he’s] committed. Zero errors. I give credit to Arvin because last time, he had a lot of errors,” said the head tactician.
“His rebounding was also there. We needed that to win the game inside the court,” he added after steering Batang Pier to a 6-1 record.
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Northport’s next game will be in the new year against Ginebra on January 8 at the same venue.
