Despite NorthPort exit, Arvin Tolentino gets coach’s praise

NorthPort Batang Pier Arvin Tolentino in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Northport star Arvin Tolentino’s off-night couldn’t come at a worse time on Friday as the Batang Pier bowed out of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals after falling to Ginebra  in five games.

But that didn’t stop coach Bonnie Tan from tipping his hat to the franchise’s cornerstone for his tremendous run in the import-laden conference.

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READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino, Northport find way to keep breathing vs Ginebra

“Arvin is Arvin. Before going to our franchise, his talent’s always been there,” said Tan in an interview with Inquirer Sports after their 126-99 loss to the Gin Kings at Araneta Coliseum.

“As coaches, our objective is for our players to maximize their talents, which they weren’t able to do in other teams.”

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Unfortunately, Tolentino’s talents were shut down when Northport needed it most as he finished with nine lowly  points, sinking just two of his 13 tries from the field.

READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino poised to take lead in Best Player race

The former Ginebra swingman was able to snag 13 rebounds, but it just wasn’t enough to stop his former team from advancing to its second straight Finals appearance.

Friday’s mishaps, according to Tan, shouldn’t take away what Tolentino’s been doing for the conference prior to their semis clash with the Gin Kings.

Tolentino, at one point, led the race for the Best Player of the Conference award with averages of 23.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He wasn’t able to come close to those numbers when he was with Ginebra.

Tolentino, who was part of a deal that sent Jamie Malonzo to the Gin Kings in 2022, carried the Batang Pier to the conference’s top seed after the elimination round and ultimately, the semis.

“Arvin was right. No one expected us to be in the semis so it was an opportunity for this team to showcase what they can do,” said Tan.

The Tolentino-led Batang Pier finished with an 11-7 record in the Comms. Cup, including the playoffs.