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By REYNALD MAGALLON
Arvin Tolentino put on a show and steered NorthPort to a blowout win over NLEX, 114-87, to open its PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 28.
The Batang Pier had to shake off some first game jitters as they found themselves trailing by as many as 16 points early on before Tolentino exploded in the second frame to overcome the deficit and came away with the lopsided win in the end.
Tolentino had 15 of his 29 points in the second frame while Kadeem Jack, who came in as a late replacement import, had a smooth time adjusting evident with his 25 points, three assists and two steals.
Allyn Bulanadi had 14 points while Joshua Munzon finished with 12 as NorthPort, after trailing 25-9, outscored NLEX, 35-12 in the pivotal second quarter.
The Batang Pier never let go of the gas pedal since then as they built a lead that went to as high as 31 points in the second half.
NorthPort also did remarkably well on the defensive end limiting Robert Bolick to just three points on an 1-of-11 shooting from the field. The Road Warriors import, Mike Watkins, tried to carry the team on his back with 29 points and 16 rebounds but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Ratliffe announced his PBA return in style, dropping 30 points as Magnolia took down Blackwater, 118-100.
Ratliffe was dominant force inside the paint for the Hotshots also collecting 18 rebounds to his name on top of five assists and two blocks.
His inside presence has attracted the Bossing’s defense allowing the Hotshots gunners the space they need to shoot from deep — something that Jerrick Ahanmisi would not pass up on as he fire 21 points while Mark Barroca chipped in 15.
An injury on Calvin Abueva, however, dampened the rousing win for the Hotshots. The veteran forward had to be stretchered off the floor and was brought to the nearest hospital.