Arvin Tolentino records triple double as NorthPort keeps Terrafirma winless
Arvin Tolentino ignited NorthPort’s resurgence, guiding his team past the rough patches with a decisive 133-107 victory over the struggling Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Tolentino was the mastermind behind the Batang Pier’s relentless attack, which set the stage for a decisive win over the Dyip. The team exploded for 33 points in a dominant first quarter while restricting their opponents to a mere 11, firmly establishing their control early on.
NorthPort soared to a lead as substantial as 28 points. Although Terrafirma found its rhythm in the following quarters, it was unable to make a significant dent in the Batang Pier’s lead, resulting in NorthPort’s record improving to 3-3 in the standings.
Tolentino delivered a stellar performance, notching a triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Meanwhile, import Venky Jois appeared to have finally overcome his recent ankle injury, contributing a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds, along with two steals and two blocks.
William Navarro, also returning from an ankle ailment, made his presence felt with 18 points, while Cade Flores added 10 to the scoreboard.
The Batang Pier built an imposing 69-41 advantage, only for the Dyip to respond with a 17-4 run, narrowing the gap to 15 points at 73-58. However, that would be as close as Terrafirma would get, as NorthPort consistently maintained their double-digit lead until the final buzzer.
Christian Standhardinger led the Dyip with 22 points and 10 rebounds but suffered a left knee injury in the closing moments. Rookie Didat Hanapi enjoyed his best outing of the season, scoring 20 points, while both Louie Sangalang and Kevin Ferrer contributed 14 points each.
Import Antonio Hester, who had shone in the previous game, fell short again, finishing with just 12 points and six rebounds, leaving Terrafirma still searching for their first victory after six games.
