NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan is happy that Robert Bolick will finally play again in the PBA after that aborted stint with Fukushima in the B.League.
Even if it won’t be with the Batang Pier.
Pending approval, the star guard and Kent Salado are set to be traded to NLEX for Don Trollano, Kris Rosales, Ben Adamos, and a future second-round pick.
“Happy for Berto, at least he’s back sa PBA. But on the other hand, we’re also sad na hindi siya maglalaro sa amin,” Tan told Tiebreaker Times.
The veteran mentor said that the team was just informed of it shortly after their 125-99 loss to Meralco in the Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday at Philsports Arena.
Of course, all of the Batang Pier were left stunned, for they’d all been waiting for Bolick to mark his comeback to the league with the ball club.
The San Beda legend left for Japan last May to join the Firebonds but requested to be released after just one game to attend to his pregnant wife.
“Laki ng contribution niya sa team, sa nabigay niya sa franchise ng NorthPort,” said Tan of the team’s third overall pick in the 2018 Rookie Draft.
(C) Bonnie Tan/Northport
Another thing that saddens the whole team was the departure of Salado, who was traded by Ginebra last season in a deal centered on Jamie Malonzo.
Sunday’s game is potentially the Arellano product’s last outing in a Batang Pier uniform. He played for four minutes and 28 seconds in the rout.
“Kent Salado was a major part of the rebuilding team ng NorthPort. We’re really sad, kasi ngayon kasama namin eh,” said Tan.
But of course, NorthPort understands that it’s all part of pro sports.
“That’s part of being in the PBA,” said Tan.
“That’s part of life as a player.”
