Robert Bolick sizzled for 34 big points as NLEX sneaked past the struggling Titan Ultra, 92-83, to virtually clinch a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, Sunday evening at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The star guard manufactured half of his output in the fourth quarter alone, none more important than the three-pointer he banked in with 1:04 remaining to break the 83-all deadlock and put the Road Warriors ahead for good.
“‘Yung play sa kanya, ‘yung tira hindi,” quipped Coach Jong Uichico of that shot, with a laugh. “Nagkataon lang talaga. Pero siyempre big-time player si Berto.”
(C) PBA Images
He then threw a touchdown pass to Dominick Fajardo, who made sure not to mess up the opportunity. He hit the layup to push their lead to five at 88-83 with 43.7 seconds left as the door slowly closed on the Giant Risers.
Free throws by Xyrus Torres and Javee Mocon inside the game’s final 22.6 proved to be the finishing touches in another character victory bannered yet again by their main man, who went on to earn Player of the Game honors.
Bolick shot an efficient 11-of-19 from the floor, including 6-of-11 from three, and also collected five rebounds and 10 assists. His exploits ultimately enabled NLEX to rise to 6-2 and join Rain or Shine atop the standings.
JB Bahio starred as well for the Road Warriors with a double-double of his own, finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds, which he laced with three assists.
NLEX will look to take advantage of the FIBA break ahead before resuming its campaign against other contenders, beginning with the 5-2 Magnolia Hotshots on December 7, Sunday, at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
“Sabi nga ni Coach bago ‘yung game na ‘to, kumpul-kumpulan kami roon,” offered the 30-year-old Bolick, referring to the current conference standings.
“Kahit 6-2 kami;’ di kami masaya, kasi ‘yung last three games namin nandoon sa top four eh,” he added as the crew will wrap up its elimination round campaign with meetings against TNT and Converge, respectively.
(C) PBA Images
The loss again wasted the efforts of Calvin Abueva, who led Titan Ultra with 27 points and 15 rebounds against eight turnovers.
It was Abueva who fed Joshua Munzon to finish a two-man fastbreak and tie the game up at 83-all with 1:17 to spare, but Bolick & Co. proved too much.
Munzon made 19 points and five assists while Von Pessumal added 14 markers, including two four-pointers. However, the Giant Risers found themselves skidding to their second loss in a row, in the process falling to 2-6.
Titan Ultra will next face Terrafirma on Saturday, December 6, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in a clash between struggling teams, with the Dyip in the midst of a five-game losing streak — second-longest in the ongoing tourney.
The Scores:
NLEX 92 – Bolick 34, Bahio 20, Torres 7, Herndon 6, Policarpio 5, Fajardo 5, Valdez 4, Mocon 3, Alas 2, Nieto 2, Capulong 2, Ramirez 0, Rodger 0
Titan Ultra 83 – Abueva 27, Munzon 19, Pessumal 14, Ular 7, Dionisio 6, Balanza 4, Yu 3, Melecio 1, Cuntapay 0, Monje 0, Ambohot 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 40-41, 65-65, 92-83.
