During the first 11 days of February, Robert Bolick was deep in thought.
The leading scorer of the ongoing 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup had two offers on the table – one from his mother team Northport and the other from T1 club Tainan TSG.
Going to the B.League was no longer an option for the 6-foot-1 combo guard out of San Beda University since the signing period for the Japanese league had already closed last January 31. That was the same day as his contract with Northport ended.
His camp then pondered heavily on signing with the Ghosthawks.
“It was a really good offer,” a source within Bolick’s camp told Tiebreaker Times.
“It was the biggest offer for an Asian import in the league so far.”
Tainan TSG is the only remaining team in T1 that has no Asian import.
Filipino-foreigners Jason Brickman, Caelan Tiongson, and Jordan Heading are currently playing for Kaohsiung Familymart, Taoyuan, and Taichung Wagor, respectively.
Photo by FIBA.basketball
Thai big man Chanatip Jakrawan is signed with New Taipei CTBC while compatriot Tyler Lamb is set to make his Taiwan Beer debut later this month.
The Ghosthawks had wanted to get Bolick to turn their fortunes around as they are currently in fifth place in the six-team league with a 2-8 slate.
Bolick though had second thoughts in signing with Tainan TSG.
First off, the T1 League does not have a FIBA break, meaning that if he signs with the Ghosthawks, he won’t get a chance to play with Gilas Pilipinas come the first window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
More importantly, Bolick’s ties with Northport remained strong all throughout the negotiation process.
“Hindi naman nawala communication ni Robert sa Northport,” the source added, which was confirmed by Batang Pier team manager Bonnie Tan.
On Friday evening, the 26-year-old son of Ormoc, Leyte made his decision.
Photo from Northport
Bolick signed on the dotted line to stay in Northport and, in effect, play for Gilas Pilipinas.
“He wanted to settle some unfinished business that’s why he signed with Northport.”
It’s a two-fold redemption campaign for Bolick.
Photo by PBA Images
First off, the Batang Pier are currently 0-4 in the standings. Leaving them in this state would tarnish his legacy with the team that drafted him as the third overall pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.
Moreover, his first stint with Gilas ended badly as the Philippines finished dead last in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
And now, Bolick can re-write his story by staying put.
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