Robert Bolick beams with pride whenever he watches San Beda University play.
As one of the people who was part of the San Beda rebuild back in 2016, Bolick never forgot the feeling of playing in the NCAA.
“Nakaka-miss nga eh, nakaka-miss eh,” said the NorthPort star when he entered the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
“Sarap sa feeling, unang pasok mo pa lang, maririnig mo yung tambol ng drums.”
He added, “Talagang eto na ‘yung college namimiss ko nga eh, iba talaga ‘yung college kasi nakikita ko ‘yung mga alumni and mga fans eh, talagang nakakamiss. Sobrang sarap sa feeling bumalik ulit dito.”
It was indeed nostalgic for Bolick to watch his alma mater play in the NCAA. However, things did not go to plan. The Red Lions suffered a dismal 81-88 defeat at the hands of Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Despite the defeat, Bolick believes this batch of Red Lions can achieve greater heights this Season 98.
It is always a championship or failure every year for San Beda. And the three-time NCAA champion is backing his successors to step up to reclaim the crown.
“Sa college, oo. Kasi alam mo san ka galing tapos may mahal sa alma mater mo eh, kaya basta gusto ko talaga silang manalo kesa lang manood ka ng regular na [game]. Iba pa rin ‘yung college talaga eh,” Bolick shared.
“Oo, kasi kahit mga bata pa yan pagpasok dun pa lang sa gym – alam mo pag pasok, kahit rebuilding, championship ‘yung tinitignan ng mga fans, alumni, school,” the NCAA Season 94 Finals MVP continued.
“Alam mo na ganon eh. Kaya dapat may mentality na sila ganon talaga ‘yung [standard].”
For his part, current San Beda consultant Boyet Fernandez was also happy when he saw his former player supporting the team. He then asked him what they could improve on for the following games this season
Just like former teammate Calvin Oftana a few days ago, Bolick was more than willing to share his thoughts on how the current batch of Red Lions can improve.
“Well, I’m happy that he came in, and support the team, and say something positive to the players,” said Fernandez.
“And, hopefully, from what they heard from Robert, they will put it in their hearts and mind; and hopefully, when we go back to practice again, we’ll do the things Robert suggested we have to do.”
Throughout his stay in San Beda, Bolick rarely tasted defeat as a Red Lion. In his time, the Red Lions were the ones with the target on their backs. This time, though, they are one of the chasers from the pack.
Moreover, he wants his alma mater to return to the finals after it lost to Mapua University in the post-season of Season 97.
“Sabi ko nga eh pag San Beda ka ‘championship.’ Pag di ka pumasok ng finals failure ka na agad, ganon sa ‘min eh – alam ni coach Yuri [Escueta] yan,” said the 6-foot-1 point guard.
“Laking tiwala ko kay Coach Yuri eh. Talagang deserve niya ‘yung [coaching position]. Kaya gusto ko nga dito manood para supportahan siya e,” the two-time NCAA champion continued.
“Yung standard namin kailangan pumasok ka ng Finals. Iba talaga pag nasa San Beda ka, it’s either championship or bust. Ganon talaga dito kasi sa tagal, tagal namin nag pa-finals, first [time hindi nag] finals ata last year, so yung mga alumni at mga fans namin di sila sanay sa ganon.”
When given a chance to visit Mendiola once again, he will surely not miss out on that opportunity to greet all the people who knew him on campus, whom he treated as his second family.
He is a Red Lion for life and nothing will ever change that.
“Oo naman, kaso nagkataon start na kami sa PBA eh, practice namin morning eh, ‘yung Beda alam ko morning din eh,” said the Gilas pool member.
‘So, for sure, pag may mga break kami galing mga school namin kasi nung days nila di naman ako ma-punta dito. Diba alam niyo naman ‘yung story ko, sila bumubuhay sa akin eh.”
