Robert Bolick sent a message loud and clear to Thailand — not just with his play, but with a Stephen Curry-inspired “night, night” celebration — after Gilas Pilipinas braved a hostile crowd and questionable officiating at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok to reclaim Southeast Asia’s basketball crown.
Bolick’s emphatic gesture wasn’t mere theatrics. It was a cathartic release after 40 minutes of officiating that seemed determined to favor the host nation.
NLEX’s ace emerged as Gilas’ calming presence amid frustration, guiding the team through a game where Thailand made 37 trips to the free-throw line compared to just 17 for the Philippines.
Despite the lopsided disparity, the national team held its composure and ultimately reasserted its golden standard.
“Oo nga ‘eh kasi home court nila, grabe yung daya,” the 6-foot-1 guard from Ormoc, Leyte said after finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
The endgame nearly unraveled Gilas’ 67-57 lead with 3:01 remaining, as a string of controversial calls — including a technical foul on the Philippines and a shooting foul on Thirdy Ravena’s three-point attempt — pulled Thailand within four points at 68-64 with just 47.8 seconds left.
(C) POC Pool
But Bolick kept his cool, calmly sinking two free throws to seal a 70-64 victory that extended the Philippines’ SEA Games record to 20 gold medals and marked the country’s second consecutive title since the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
“Pero talagang ibang klase. Binigay lang namin yung best namin… Binigay namin yung best namin and thank you sa lahat ng Pilipino. Ginawa nila lahat kaya special para sa amin ito,” the 30-year-old from San Beda University added.
The hurdles for Bolick and Gilas didn’t stop at hostile refereeing.
Weeks before the Games, last-minute eligibility changes threatened the roster, as Thailand suddenly barred naturalized players — athletes who acquired passports past the age of 16 — from participating, overturning an earlier “passport-only” rule.
This meant that stars like Remy Martin, Justin Brownlee, Mike Phillips, and Jason Brickman would not suit up for the Philippines.
Even so, Bolick embraced the underdog role and helped lead the team to flawless regional supremacy.
“Ang sarap. Hindi ko aakalain na mapapasama ako rito. Kaya sabi ko nga kanina, kahit kami, gusto namin mapanood sila Remy Martin, sila [Mike] Phillips, at si [Justin] Brownlee. Gusto natin makita ‘yon ‘eh sa Pilipinas. Pero ‘ayon nga, naiba yung circumstances,” he said.
“Akala nila, kung kami lang, madali, so pagpunta namin dito, naka-mindset kami dito na mananalo talaga.”
