NorthPort Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
The finest season of his career has put Arvin Tolentino in a position to become a legitimate superstar and stand out as the main reason why NorthPort is among the top teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.
Those reasons have also put Tolentino, whose 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals carried the Batang Pier to a 112-96 rout of the TNT Tropang Giga at Smart Araneta Coliseum, in speculations of eventually switching uniforms in the future.
“I’m still focused on what I have to do at NorthPort,” Tolentino told the Inquirer early last month when heat of trade talks involving him were swirling online. “I’m a professional, and for me, it’s outside noise and I don’t focus on that too much.”
NorthPort improved to a 4-1 for at least a share of second place, depending on the outcome of Friday’s nightcap between unbeaten San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra.
Possible destination
Next up for the Batang Pier are the Magnolia Hotshots, who were tagged in the rumors of being a possible destination for Tolentino. The two squads meet on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“I’m 100-percent committed to NorthPort. And whatever happens, happens,” said Tolentino, who after five games in the all-Filipino tournament has averaged 24 points, 7.1 rebounds, five assists and 1.2 steals.
Tolentino has risen into one of the league’s elite players ever since being traded to NorthPort from Ginebra in September 2022 in a multi-player deal involving Jamie Malonzo.
The Far Eastern University product previously won two championships with Ginebra (2020 Philippine Cup and 2022 Governors’ Cup) as a role player under coach Tim Cone.
But Tolentino has since become a two-time All-Star, including the recent edition in Bacolod City, while NorthPort bucked an overtime loss to NLEX to begin the conference with victory after victory being led by his stellar play.
“I challenge myself everyday,” he said. “Yes, I’m the main man, one of the main players on the team, and that’s the challenge for me. And I’m up to it.
‘We’re a team’
“If they want me to be the guy, I should be the one doing the most [work], especially in the offseason, in practice, because I have a big responsibility with the team. My teammates are relying on me on a lot of things and I have to repay that by being prepared, working hard, guiding the team and not being selfish.
“Yes, I lead the team, but we’re a team. I’m that kind of a leader and we have to do it together,” he added.
Tolentino hit 22 in the first half to lead a torrid NorthPort attack that resulted in a 61-34 halftime lead, eventually sending TNT to a second straight loss and a 2-3 record.
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JM Calma, winner of the Obstacle Challenge during the All-Star Weekend, also came up big with 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Batang Pier.
