Arvin Tolentino rediscovers form as NorthPort avoids semis sweep vs. Ginebra

Arvin Tolentino regained his lethal form, shining on all ends as NorthPort gutted out a 108-103 Game 4 win against Barangay Ginebra to avoid a series sweep in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Batang Pier, though, needed to fend off a late barrage from the Gin Kings as they dragged the latter to a Game 5 as the series is now at 3-1. 

Tolentino made up for a lackluster two-point showing at the halftime break, pouring 18 points in the second half to finish with 20 alongside 11 assists, nine rebounds, four steals, and one block in his best game this series. 

Import Kadeem Jack was also on target after posting 39 markers alongside 15 boards, and five dimes while Will Navarro (16), Joshua Munzon (14), and Paolo Taha (11) all had double-digit output to help the cause. 

"I really had to kasi kung hindi out na kami. Kumbaga find a way, we as a team, found a way today. Ang sarap sa feeling na nanalo rin. But again, it's just a one win," Tolentino said.

"We gotta win more and hopefully magtuloy-tuloy 'yung magandang game namin. From the next game up to the last game, we have to find a way to win. Three more, mukhang imposible, pero wala namang imposible."

After misfiring in the first two quarters, Tolentino launched a third quarter explosion by dropping 14 of his overall output, including the late triple to end the frame, to allow the embattled Batang Pier to take an 84-74 lead heading to the fourth period. 

Jack then proved to be an unstoppable force in the paint, completing an and-one play before Navarro buried a three-pointer for a 96-88 lead. The American reinforcement even made it a 104-93 cushion. 

However, Ginebra refused to surrender and unleashed a 7-0 run before NorthPort committed a number of turnovers that set the stage for a massive three-pointer from Stephen Holt off an RJ Abarrientos dish with 36.8 seconds left, 104-103. 

Jack, though, responded with a fadeaway jumper before Tolentino sealed it with a pair of freebies. 

All of Barangay Ginebra's starters posted double-digit scoring led by Justin Brownlee's 18 as Troy Rosario and Holt registered 17 and 15 markers apiece. 

NorthPort will look to extend the series once more while Ginebra hopes to finish it off come Game 5 on Friday. 

Scores:

NorthPort 108 – Jack 39, Tolentino 20, Navarro 16, Munzon 14, Taha 11, Nelle 3, Bulanadi 3, Miranda 2, Onwubere 0.

Barangay Ginebra 103 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 15, Malonzo 12, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 2, Gray 0, Cu 0

Quarters: 21-22, 54-50, 84-74, 108-103.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News