Arvin Tolentino caught fire and exploded for a whopping 51 points in NorthPort’s domination of Converge, 135-109, in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup on Thursday, August 29, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the nation’s capital.

Tolentino also had seven rebounds, and that scoring outburst partly came from 16 makes from the 15-foot-line.

It was also his career-high and the first 50-point output in six years by a local player in the league.

Speaking about his massive night, the star forward could not immediately absorb what just happened.

“‘Di ko rin masabi, eh. Actually, speechless. Pag-start pa lang ng game, we led na. And then it felt na maganda ‘yung tinatakbo ng team, especially in transition and on defense. Siguro na-swerte na dumadating sa ‘kin ‘yung bola,” the 6-foot-5 Rizal native said during the postgame interview.

It was all NorthPort from the get-go, as they orchestrated a 13-3 run in the opening salvo and never looked back.

Scotty Hopson paced the sliding side with 24 markers.

The Batang Pier now saw themselves on a 2-1 win-loss card, while it was the FiberXers’ second defeat in four games.

NorthPort faces Meralco next at the same venue on Sunday, September 1, while Converge eyes a bounce back win also against the Bolts on September 4 at the Araneta Coliseum. (ABS-CBN News)

NORTHPORT  135 — Tolentino 51, Munzon 19, Jalalon 13, Cuntapay 11, Navarro 10, Yu 6, Jois 6, Bulanadi 6, Nelle 5, Amores 4, Onwubere 2, Taha 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0.

CONVERGE 109 — Hopson 24, Stockton 19, Arana 16, Winston 16, Santos 12, Racal 8, Delos Santos 6, Nieto 4, Maagdenberg 2, Melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Fleming 0, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0.

Quarterscores: 38-24, 68-49, 100-77, 135-109.