ARVIN Tolentino hopes to pick up from where Northport left off as the Batang Pier get ready for their coming campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Best Player of the Commissioner's Cup is poised about the team's chances in the season-ending conference where the Batang Pier will try to do it on their own as they make do without the benefit of a hard-working import like Kadeem Jack.
And their previous showing last conference has a lot to do with it.
"Yung confidence ng team namin nandun," said Tolentino, noting how Northport ended up seeded no. 1 for the first time in franchise history and made the semifinals only for the third time.
"That's a big experience for us, a morale booster."
Sponsored content:
While the team lost to Barangay Ginebra in the semis, the 29-year-old forward still believes the experience help the young Batang Pier have a feel of what it likes to play in such a big stage.
"We start to believe na kaya pala namin makipag-sabayan sa mga malalaking teams and that's a big boost sa amin going to the Philippine Cup," added Tolentino, who beat out TNT's Calvin Oftana for the BPC award.
Of course, the 6-foot-9 Jack, who finished second behind Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the race for the Best Import award, will no longer be around after averaging 31.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 block shots.
But Tolentino sees his other teammates stepping up on the plate, most especially Joshua Munzon, to cover the huge void left by the high-scoring import.
"We all saw kung paano maglaro si Kadeem, kung ano yung value niya sa team namin," he said.
Sponsored content:
"Si Josh (Munzon), he took us to the next level (in the Commissioner's Cup) with the way he played. And malaking reason yun why kami nag-no. 1, kung bakit kami nag-semis," Tolentino added.
"But everyone, kahit yung mga hindi naglalaro sa amin, yung sacrifice nila sa practice, pinu-pushe kaming mga starters and yung willingness nila to learn, to improve, and to be better."
Northport will make its Philippine Cup debut on April 12 against Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.(RG)
