Terrafirma’s bid to snap an exhausting, embarrassing losing streak will have to wait.
NorthPort refused to cooperate with the Dyip’s plans as the Batang Pier fashioned out a hard-earned 91-85 win in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Arvin Tolentino came away with a career-high 31 points and lived up to the role as the team’s top gun — at least against the Dyip — and provided the much needed baskets for the Batang Pier all game long.
In notching their second straight win, the Batang Pier improved their win-loss record to 5-5 to move back to the .500 mark.
More importantly, NorthPort averted the upset axe of Terrafirma, whose losing skid has been extended to 25 straight, stretched over three conferences.
Tolentino’s two free throws gave the Batang Pier an 87-83 lead with less than a minute left then Robert Bolick, who took the back seat on offense, completed a steal and fed William Navarro for the breakaway dunk, sealing the victory for NorthPort.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Terrafirma, which led by as many as 15, 44-29, in the closing stretch of the second period, and looked poised to finally break the curse.
Apparently, the Dyip just couldn’t get past the bumps on the road. They are now four games away from matching the all-time longest losing skid posted by Blackwater last season.
Terrafirma, however, has three more games left in its schedule and will have a chance of salvaging a victory to avoid having yet another winless campaign.
The Dyip lost all their 11 matches in the Philippine Cup and are already out of the race for the playoffs.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT (91) — Tolentino 31, Bolick 12, Navarro 12, Ibeh 9, Sumang 7, Balanza 6, Ferrer 5, Ayaay 4, Salado 3, Chan 2, Taha 0.
TERRAFIRMA (85) — Prosper 23, Tiongson 18, Cabagnot 16, Alolino 8, Ramos 8, Munzon 5, Calvo 3, Cahilig 2, Javelona 2, Camson 0, Gabayni 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
QUARTERS: 20-28, 45-55, 64-71, 91-85
