Robert Bolick took the wheel down the stretch time and again to steer NLEX past the hard-fighting Blackwater, 84-81, to open their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on the right foot, Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The star guard fired 24 points, 13 of which he made in the final period as he led the Road Warriors’ rally from down 69-75 with less than seven minutes left.
Bolick knocked down a crucial four-pointer before following it up with a perfect trip to the line, then dished out key assists to Cady Lalanne and Deschon Winston for the telling 12-0 run toward an 81-75 lead with 3:01 to spare.
He then capped off his solid performance with a booming trifecta for the 84-79 lead with 37 seconds left, and the crew would go on to escape the tough Bossing to secure a triumphant start to the midseason conference.
“Alam naman ni Berto kung kailan siya kailangan,” Coach Jong Uichico said. “Alam naman niya kung kailan niya kailangan mag-double effort lalo sa scoring.”
