NorthPort did manage to pull through last week even without Robert Bolick due to his Gilas Pilipinas duty in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
But it’s really a whole different vibe when the top gun is around.
That showed on Wednesday. Bolick dazzled in his return as the Batang Pier beat Blackwater, 116-103, to keep their winning ways in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The 26-year-old finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in a performance that also saw him collect three steals and a block.
“Berto is Berto,” said head coach Pido Jarencio after the match at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Talaga naman, he’s one of the heart and soul of this team.”
Making it all the more impressive is that Bolick performed that way even if he had just rejoined the team only a day before the Bossing game.
Photo by PBA Images
“Kahapon, nagpakita lang siya, tapos nag-run lang kami ng kaunting ano. Konti lang, makita niya ‘yung ginagawa namin. Tapos,” Jarencio said.
“Eh, alam niya naman ‘yung galawan dito eh, kaya naintindihan niya. Tsaka ano ‘yan eh, matalinong player si Berto,” he added.
NorthPort is presently the hottest team in the tilt with a four-game winning streak, which only bodes well for its hopes to reach the quarterfinals.
The Batang Pier still have a couple more games remaining in the eliminations, first against Terrafirma on Saturday and then TNT on March 11.
And with those assignments crucial to their bid of making it to the next round, Jarencio feels more confident now that he has Bolick again.
“Berto is a big addition for the team, especially nawala rin si Roi Sumang. Nawalan kami ng isang point guard,” said the cager turned mentor.
“Blessing, nakabalik na siya, eto tutulungan niya tayo. Tutulungan niya kami dito sa run natin,” he added.
“Malaking bagay si Berto, ‘yung balik niya.”
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