Arvin Tolentino steered NorthPort past the turbulent waters and snapped a two-game slide with a 133-107 victory over the luckless Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Tolentino orchestrated the assault for the Batang Pier who set the tone in the rout of the Dyip behind a strong first quarter that saw them erupt for 33 points while limiting their opponents to just 11 points.

NorthPort led by as many as 28 points, and while Terrafirma got its groove going in the ensuing quarters, it failed to get close enough to threaten the Batang Pier who now improved to a 3-3 record in the standings.

Tolentino put up a triple-double of 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while import Venky Jois seemed to have finally recovered from an ankle injury and posted a double-double of his own with 26 points and 15 rebounds on top of two steals and two blocks.

William Navarro, who likewise missed the last game due to an ankle injury, announced his return with 18 points while Cade Flores finished with 10.

The Batang Pier erected a massive 69-41 lead but the Dyip unloaded a 17-4 spurt to come within 15, 73-58. That, however, was the closest Terrafirma could get as NorthPort managed to protect the double digit advantage until the final horn.

Christian Standhardinger paced the Dyip with 22 points and 10 rebounds but not before hurting his left knee in the final frame. Rookie Didat Hanapi fired his best performance in young PBA career with 20 points while Louie Sangalang and Kevin Ferrer had 14 apiece.

Import Antonio Hester, after a splendid game last time out, had another subpar performance with just 12 points and six rebounds to show as Terrafirma remained winless through six games.