Arvin Tolentino showed nerves of steel, drilling a tough step back jumper to finally steer NorthPort past the turbulent waters with a 115-113 victory over Blackwater in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Caloocan Sports Complex, on Saturday, April 27.

With the game knotted at 113-all, Tolentino sized up his defender and went for a one dribble step to the left jumper over the outstretched arms of Christian David to put the Batang Pier ahead with 7.6 seconds remaining.

With no timeouts left, the Bossing then ran the entirety of the floor and was forced to a long three-point attempt from Rey Nambatac. 

His shot only hit the back of the rim as Tolentino collared the rebound to seal the game for NorthPort, which not only snapped a five-game losing skid but also revived its playoff drive after ending its elimination schedule with 5-6 record.

The Batang Pier now only await the result of the rest of the eliminations to determine their playoff fate while the Bossing fell to their sixth-straight defeat for a 3-6 record in the standings. 

Tolentino did a little bit of everything to ensure the victory for NorthPort, scattering 27 points including his team’s last eight points, while collaring 11 rebounds, dishing off seven assists and swatting away two blocked shots.

He got plenty of support from the rest of his crew with Joshua Munzon adding 16 points, six assists and five rebounds and surprise rookie starter Damie Cuntapay firing away 15 points, all coming from deep.

Zavier Lucero added 14 points while Fran Yu added 11 – including timely hits that kept NorthPort’s ship afloat in the final frame after squandering a lead that went to as high as 20 points.

Tolentino’s game-winning shot spoiled a pair of big games from Troy Rosario and rookie Christian David, who took turns in carrying the fight for the skidding Bossing in the second half.

Rosario had a career-best showing of 33 points that also went with nine rebounds and six assists while David poured his own season-best of 26 points and 15 rebounds.

The two even towed the Blackwater to a 113-107 lead inside the last two minutes before Tolentino took over and scored a jumper, a layup and a pair of free-throws to tie the game and set up the table to his game-winning shot.