British-Rwandan import Prince Ibeh delivered 19 points and 10 rebounds for the NorthPort Batang Pier as they put away the Blackwater Elite Bossings, 87-83, on Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioners’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
But with Ibeh held to five points in the last period, Arvin Tolentino stepped up and hit 10 of his 15-point output in the final 12 minutes of action as Batang Pier eked out their third triumph in five matches.
Tolentino’s triple and floater in the last 4:10 aided Batang Pier in their rally from 75-79 down and into a 82-79 edge.
Tolentino then blocked Bossing cager Mike Ayonayon’s attempt in the next play as Batang Pier distanced themselves further, with Arwind Santos striking with a jumper and Ibeh connecting with a freebie with 17 ticks remaining, 85-81.
“We need to be consistent. We need to work on our games and our consistency in defense,” said Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio.
Cameron Krutwig fired a game-high 28 points for the Bossings, who now have a 2-3 win-loss card.
Troy Rosario shot 17 points for the Bossings, who were ahead by as much as eight in the fourth, 66-74, off Baser Amer’s jumper with 9:18 left.
But a triple and two charities from Tolentino during a 7-0 spurt allowed NorthPort to close it at 73-74 in the last 7:44.
Krutwig knocked in 10 points in third, with his trey in the 44-second mark keeping the Bossings in front, 68-64.