Though already having played in a World Cup, Robert Bolick had never competed in the Southeast Asian Games before this year’s edition of the regional meet.
Just two games into the tournament — against Malaysia and Vietnam — the 30-year-old Ormoc City native admitted he was surprised by the level of competition.
“Lahat ng teams dito magaling na eh. Walang madali dito,” Bolick said.
“So, every game bigay na namin best.”
Even before tip-off, Gilas Pilipinas faced challenges, as head coach Norman Black struggled to finalize the lineup due to changing eligibility rules imposed by the Thailand organizers.
Bolick himself was added to the roster only on November 23 — less than two weeks before the competition.
Still, the former PBA scoring champion stressed that the situation was no excuse, noting that the roster is composed of seasoned professionals, alongside elite UAAP talents Ced Manzano and Veejay Pre.
(C) POC Media
“Ayun nga, isa yun sa mga kulang sa practice time. Hindi pa namin kilala yung isa’t isa. Wala kaming tune-up games. Ilang araw pa lang kami nagkakailala. Yung iba, si Ray (Parks) galing pang-B.League. Pero no, excuse yun,” Bolick said.
“Nandito kami. Players lahat yan, magagaling yan. Ako, ine-expect ko magagaling yung mga kasama ko. Lahat yan bibigay yan ng best.”
Against Vietnam, Gilas was pushed to the limit.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Philippines held a slim 64–62 lead before Bolick, Poy Erram, and Jamie Malonzo delivered the decisive blows to seal a 78–67 victory and clinch an outright semifinals berth.
“O nga, gumagaling na rin talaga din sila, gumagaling na rin. Pero, Pilipino kami, hindi kami sumusuko. So effort lang, binigay lang namin yung best namin. Masaya kami na nangyari ito ng medyo maaga pa kasi character building ‘to sa team,” said Bolick, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
“Magkakakilala na kami ngayon, nag-uusap na kami ng maayos kung ano kailangan namin igawin. Medyo maganda ngayon kaysa yung last game, medyo stick talaga kami sa team ngayon.”
The Philippines will now await the winner of the Indonesia–Vietnam matchup, with the semifinals set on Thursday.
“So dapat, next two games namin, semifinals tsaka finals, for sure, Indonesia makakalaban namin sa malamang sa malamang. Magaling na rin sila,” said the NLEX star.
“So, dapat ready kami, gawin yung best namin, pero, ika nga, SEA Games ito eh. Gold lang yung tinitingnan namin, walang iba.”
