HEARING it from Arvin Tolentino, a recent streak-stopping loss should serve his NorthPort squad in good stead going forward in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
More so now that the Batang Pier are meeting charging Eastern Friday for the mid-season conference's solo leadership at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Gametime is 5 p.m.
NorthPort saw its 5-0 start to the tourney cut short by a 109-114 loss to Phoenix last Tuesday, relegating the former into a leadership tie with Eastern, which racked up a third straight win and improved to 5-1 through a 93-90 decision over Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.
For the 29-year-old Tolentino, the Batang Pier's top scorer, his youth-laden team should derive some lessons from their recent defeat. "Siguro, medyo OK na rin na na-experience namin 'yun ngayon," he said moments after the Phoenix game.
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"At least na-feel namin na hindi laging panalo, alam mo 'yun?" added Tolentino. "I guess medyo nasa taas na rin kami, so back down to earth now."
If NorthPort is not careful, it could suffer another crushing blow from Eastern.
Aside from Ginebra the Hong Kong-based guest team has also included among its victims recent Governors Cup titlist TNT, Converge, Phoenix and Blackwater.
Not only that, Eastern has also been successful in its concurrent campaign in the Hong Kong A1, where it stands alone at the top with a 7-0 slate, and just scored a breakthrough win in the EASL Home-and-Away Season 2 at the expense of San Miguel Beer.
Former Bay Area Dragons standouts Hayden Blankley, Glenn Yang, and Kobey Lam have been steady and consistent for Eastern, as has replacement import Chris McLaughlin, who is now 3-0 after coming in as a substitute for the injured Cameron Clark.
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"Talagang nakita naman natin 'yung Eastern, malakas eh," opined Tolentino.
The same could be said of NorthPort should the likes of Kadeem Jack, Joshua Munzon, Will Navarro, Evan Nelle and Damien Cuntapay put their acts together with Tolentino.
The match is also a sort of gauge for his side, according to Tolentino. "Siguro 'yun 'yung magdi-dictate din kung nasaan kami talaga ngayon," he said. (NC)
