After Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s emphatic Game 3 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier, quite a few thought this PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis series was a wrap.
But Arvin Tolentino and his Batang Pier cohorts had other plans, taking the fight to Ginebra in Game 4 on their way to a hard-earned 103-98 victory to finally get on the board in the semis.
For Tolentino, it was a case of NorthPort finding a way to win—finally.
“We, as a team, found a way today. It’s nice to feel that we won,” Tolentino told reporters after Game 4. “But again, it’s just one win. It’s the best of seven series. So, you’ve got to win three more. And hopefully, we’ll continue to play well like today.”
Tolentino was right. NorthPort played well in Game 4. The team shot 54.3% overall and was 11-for-22 from downtown. The former Ginebra wingman himself played well, breaking out for 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists. More importantly, he fired 18 of his total in the second half.
NorthPort Shoots for Three More as Confidence Back, Says Arvin Tolentino
Even with the win, Tolentino is staying even-keeled. After all, the road ahead is still long. But at least the Batang Pier got that first win out of the way. Now, they need to get three more.
“From the next game up to the last, we really have to just find a way to win. This is the first one. Three more. It looks impossible, but it doesn’t look impossible. Arvin, just to follow up, you said it’s just one win,” Tolentino said.
Winning three more games is a daunting task for sure. But for Tolentino, the important thing is that NorthPort can believe again.
“It’s like you’re under water and you can’t breathe [being down 3-0. Now, we’re on top. We can breathe again,” Tolentino explained. “Our confidence is back. Our belief in ourselves, in the team, is back. And yeah, three more.”
Three more for NorthPort starts on Friday, when the Batang Pier and Ginebra go at it again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
Rest assured, Arvin Tolentino will look to find a way again.
