In a league that’s consistently dominated by the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Talk N’ Text Tropang Giga, and Meralco Bolts, it’s always a fun treat when someone from the independent teams shine. Northport Batang Pier Forward Arvin Tolentino has been doing that for the past year, and he did his best one yet.

Thursday night, while slotted on a random first game of a weekday double-header, the 28-year-old poured in 51 points on 15-of-27 shooting (5/10 3PM), including a perfect 16-of-16 from the free-throw line as Northport throttled the Converge FiberXers, 135-109, to improve to 2-1 in the 2024 Governor’s Cup. Tolentino has basically been a lite version of an import, and it was in full display in the victory with Venky Jois only posting six points on 2-of-6 shooting and a horrific 2-of-12 from the charity stripe – granted he had 10 boards, two steals, and three blocks.

In any case, the 51-point explosion not only toppled the multiple 40-point games NLEX Road Warriors guard Robert Bolick had earlier in the year, it also became the highest single-game scoring output by any local since Stanley Pringle’s 50 in June of 2018.

Tolentino has had an interesting journey, highlighted by ups and downs. He started his collegiate career well with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, winning the 2014 UAAP Rookie of the Year, but then experienced a massive sophomore slump that ultimately made him transfer to FEU. He steadily regained his touch with the Tamaraws, so much so that he was eventually selected 10th overall in the 2020 PBA Draft by crowd darlings Barangay Ginebra.

With the Barangay having a loaded roster, though, Tolentino was fighting hard just to get limited minutes. He averaged 4.5 points on 15.1 minutes in his first season, and 6.1 points on 15.1 minutes in his second season. Then, by 2022, when he was starting to get more minutes and reach double-digit scoring (11.8 PPG in the 2022 Philippine Cup), he was shipped to Northport, one of the afterthought squads. On the bright side, however, the watered down squad has allowed him to showcase and develop his skills.

Here’s how he did in his first two conferences for the Batang Pier. Both either tripled or doubled his scoring averages in his full seasons with Ginebra:

• 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup – 16.4 points, 6.1 rebounds
• 2022-23 Governor’s Cup – 13.4 points, 45.8 3FG%

The uptick even got him a Second Mythical Team nod.

Tolentino continued it through the 2023-24 PBA season. He became more confident with his game, and more comfortable with his premier role on the team, a mix that is almost sure to give any player the necessary tools to have a productive run. He ended the season 48 with 21.8 points, 6.1 boards, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, easily one of the best seasons from any local that year. He also earned his first PBA First Mythical Team selection.

Now, with all that, we all know that the ever-growing rumors of a reunion with Ginebra can only heat up even more. We’ll see. Hopefully, for a change, that doesn’t happen.