NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino repeats as PBA Player of the Week

Arvin Tolentino has been leading the way for NorthPort in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.

During a week where they played three games, Tolentino consistently performed well. One notable game was their surprising 115-101 victory against San Miguel, where NorthPort had to play without their import, Venky Jois.

With Jois sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Tolentino stepped up and scored 28 points to go along with five rebounds. He also made three out of six shots from beyond the arc, filling the void left by their import and contributing immensely to the impressive win.

Tolentino’s performance in the previous game against Converge was also commendable as he delivered 18 points and three rebounds. As a result, Tolentino was rightfully recognized as the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period of December 6-10.

Throughout the week, he showcased his skills by averaging 23.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals. Tolentino’s remarkable achievements make him the first player to receive this weekly accolade twice, as he had previously earned the honor during the period of November 8-12.

Tolentino faced a tough challenge for the award from Phoenix rookie Ken Tuffin, who also received a significant number of votes in the most competitive selection process so far for this conference.

Tuffin played a crucial role in Phoenix’s comeback during the third quarter, scoring 13 out of his 18 points to secure a victory against reigning champion Barangay Ginebra with a final score of 82-77. The game took place in San Jose, Batangas.

The outstanding performances of both Tolentino and Tuffin propelled their respective teams into the Top 5 of the standings. The Top 4 teams after the elimination round will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.

Despite their efforts, the Batang Pier failed to complete a perfect week as they suffered a defeat against Meralco with a score of 125-99. However, Tolentino still managed to contribute significantly with 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Other players nominated for the weekly honor included Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca from Magnolia, Andrei Caracut, Rey Nambatac, and Beau Belga from Rain or Shine, Allein Maliksi from Meralco, and Tolentino’s rookie teammate Fran Yu.