With just 50 seconds remaining in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 93 Seniors Basketball Finals, Robert Bolick — just like in Game One — knocked down the game-breaking triple of the contest. And just like in their 94-87 Game One win, coach Boyet Fernandez went to Bolick, trying to calm him down.
“The game is not yet over,” Fernandez was overheard telling Bolick.
During their one year of being together, Fernandez and Bolick have formed a strong bond. The returning San Beda mentor has helped unleash the 21-year-old. And on his part, Bolick delivered, helping Fernandez win both the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup and the NCAA Season 93 Seniors Basketball crown.
And every time Bolick went overboard with his celebrations, Fernandez always makes sure to bring his star back down.
“I want to thank Coach Boyet. Siya ang nag-grow sa paglalaro ko sa basketball. Ginawa niya akong MVP,” shared the second-year Red Lion. “I grew because of Coach Boyet, he really deserves this championship.
“Noong natalo kami two times, nag-team building kami and I said to him that he’s going to have to trust us because for me, I think the only thing that makabawi ako kay Coach Boyet for everything he’s done. I had to repay him with a championship,” added Bolick, who averaged 21.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the Finals.
“I always tell him, ‘I got you’.”
But Bolick made sure that he and Fernandez would be together for another year, removing his name from the 2017 PBA Draft pool to be with San Beda for one more year — though it wasn’t just Fernandez that made him come back.
“That’s why I stayed for a year, because of them. Puwede na ako magpa-draft, pero it’s my responsibility to give one more year to San Beda. The way they treat me, galing pa lang sa teachers, sa fathers, sa tao sa cafeteria, mga guards, kahit sino-sinong nandoon,” a hyped Bolick reflected.
“You’re inspired to play for them because they have the passion. Good decision para sa akin kasi tingnan mo naman ako ngayon, two coaches helped me, Coach Jamike [Jarin], kahit bago ako, he tried, tinry niya ako and I improved a lot. When Coach Boyet became the coach, mas tumaas ang kumpyansa ko. Credit to him, credit to the coaches, the coaching staff,” the native of Ormoc added.
“Without them hindi naman ako magkakaganito.”
Though he wants to continue the wave he is riding, the first order of business for Bolick is to get his life back. After sacrificing so much, he is hoping to be afforded some rest.
“I hope that we get rest. I want to go to the beach, I want to drink. Kasi since January, nag-D-League kami, hanggang ngayon, pagod na talaga,” expressed Bolick.
“Tonight, I want to drink and relax, talk to my girlfriend, si Aby, my family, kain kaunti.”
