PBA legend and Arellano University Chiefs Jerry Codinera has been part of some of the most important moments in Philippine basketball history.
Friday afternoon, he was again a witness to another feat.
With his Chiefs facing the San Beda Red Lions, Robert Bolick absolutely torched them, scoring 50 points.
Codinera himself was in awe, saying that Bolick is a sure shot lottery pick in the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft.
“Magaling naman yun. No doubt. Mahusay naman talaga. He’s good – very promising ‘yan,” the nine-time PBA All-Defensive team member remarked about the 6-foot-1 guard.
“Watch out PBA, there’s a new kid on the block.”
According to the fifth-year Chiefs head coach, what separates Bolick from the rest of the field is his desire to outdo himself every game.
“He’ll go places. May character lumaro, relentless, ‘di siya nakukuntento.”
Though he sang praises for Bolick, he could not say the same for the Chiefs. With Ian Alban and Levi dela Cruz as the only defenders on Bolick, the reigning Collegiate Player of the Year still managed to shoot an outstanding 18-for-25 clip from the field.
If Codinera had been in his players’ shoes, he would have done one thing to stop Bolick.
“Sacrifice lang ‘yun. If you have pride in yourself, ibubuhos ko lahat ng limang foul ko pero ‘di ka ii-score sa’kin ng ganun kalaki. It’s just a matter of sacrificing, knowing where he is, his strength and weaknesses,” opined Codinera.
Still, the Defensive Minister knows that Bolick is heads above this batch of prospects.
“There’s no collegiate player that can stop him.”