YOU know it’s a lopsided duel when shock troopers are getting their feet wet with still a lot of time left and the squad’s main man was watching from the bench yawning.
With Arvin Tolentino shooting the lights out, NorthPort dismantled NLEX 114-87 last night in both teams’ opener in the PBA Commissioner Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Batang Pier back-up guard Paolo Taha canned two free throws before rookie Agem Miranda and seldom-used big man Damie Cuntapay added a jumper and three-pointer, respectively, that made it a 109-83 game with 3:05 remaining.
After that, Tolentino left the game for good, having done most of the damage.
Converge clashes with foreign guest team Eastern today, both seeking a second straight win in as many games while Meralco makes its debut against Phoenix at the same venue.
NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar lauded the effort shown by their relievers after the first group “sleepwalked” at the start.
“It’s all credit to the players because we started flat. Our starters started slow but the good thing there was our second group stepped up led by several players,” Bajar, who spoke in lieu of coach Bonnie Tan, said. “But ang bottom line is iyong effort pa rin.
“It’s all about the character of this team,” he added.
Tolentino banged in 29 points, on top of three rebounds and two assists for the Batang Pier, while import Kadeem Jack made a good account of himself in his debut with 25 markers, six boards, and three dimes.
Allyn Bulanadi and Joshua Munzon also had 14 and 12 points, respectively, for NorthPort’s blazing start in the mid-season tourney.
The Batang Pier fell 21-29 early on but steadied the ship with a 35-point second-quarter juggernaut to build a 56-41 edge at the half.
Showing no mercy, Tan’s charges padded their advantage to 91-67 entering the fourth canto.
Miranda added another triple that stretched NorthPort’s lead to as much as 114-83, with only 1:46 to go.
Reinforcement Michael Griffin-Watkins paced the Road Warriors with 29 points, 19 caroms, and four dimes while Richi Rodger added 11 markers.
Javee Mocon and Anthony Semerad also got 10 points each for NLEX which also drew three markers on 1-of-11 shooting overall from star playmaker Robert Bolick.
The Batang Pier groped for form in the last conference but a one-sided rout in their debut should serve them well.
