ARVIN Tolentino scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as NorthPort Batang Pier battled back to beat Blackwater Bossing, 87-83, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tolentino, who was named as the “Best Player of the Game”, keyed NorthPort’s decisive 16-5 run that made it 82-79.

Prince Ibeh led the Batang Pier’s balanced scoring with a double-double of 19 points (9-of-15 shooting) and 10 rebounds in 41 minutes, while Arwind Santos added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Jerrick Balanza and Robert Bolick added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio admitted the Batang Pier have not played their best game.

“Although nanalo kami today, hindi pa rin yun ang ini-expect kong maging laro. Hindi pa kami consistent. Yung consistency talaga ang importante,” said Jarencio after NorthPort’s third win in five matches.

“We have to play defense all the way tapos ‘yung offense namin darating iyon,” added Jarencio.

Cameron Krutwig topscored for the Bossing with 28 points and 17 rebounds.

Troy Rosario and Baser Amer contributed 17 and 16 points.

The scores:

NorthPort (87)– Ibeh 19, Tolentino 15, Santos 14, Balanza 13, Bolick 12, Ferrer 7, Taha 3, Caperal 2, Chan 2, Salado 0, Sumang 0.
Blackwater (83) — Krutwig 28, Rosario 17, Amer 16, Ular 8, Ayonayon 7, Suerte 4, Taha 2, Banal 1, Ebona 0, McCarthy 0, Jackson 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 37-42, 64-68, 87-83.

Games Friday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — Blackwater vs Terrafirma
5:45 p.m. — Phoenix vs. Ginebra