BACOLOD – Robert Bolick himself couldn’t believe that he did pull off the biggest of plays that concluded the 2024 PBA All-Star Game in a draw.
The NLEX star wasn’t really happy with the way he performed for Team Mark against Team Japeth, thus the amazement on his part after completing a rare five-point play as the match eventually ended in a 140-all stalemate.
“‘Di ko rin alam! Kita mo pati layup, nagmi-miss ako,” he said with a grin moments after the match at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here. “Sabi ko kay Marcio, pa-layupin na niya ko — nag-layup ako, nag-miss pa!”
Bolick pulled up for a four-point play with less than 20 seconds left to play and with the crew staring at a 141-136 deficit, and Calvin Oftana closed out too much on him that he got caught for a foul just before the shot swished in.
He would calmly sink his bonus free throw afterward to tie the game, and the Barroca-led crew turned to their defense to prevent their foes from scoring.
It was the first-ever four-pointer made by Bolick. He went 0-for-8 for Team Scottie in their 140-136 loss to Team Japeth in last year’s game in Passi.
Full game stats of Team Japeth’s 140-136 win over Team Scottie in the 2023 PBA All-Star Game, from league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III (@thepbaologist). @tiebreakertimes pic.twitter.com/PCrbLzGeM4
— Justine Bacnis (@justinebacnis) March 12, 2023
“Kahit last year ‘di rin ako naka-shoot, ngayon lang, first time,” offered the 28-year-old guard.
“Biniyayaan lang siguro ng Panginoon.”
Bolick gave credit as well to the guidance of his vets in the team such as Barroca, hometown bet James Yap, and Jayson Castro for their guidance.
“Ang ganda ‘pag may beterano kang teammates e, kausap ko sina Jayson, sina Mark, ‘Ge tira mo lang.’ Si Coach Jorge, siya rin nagsasabi, ‘Tumulong ka naman! Tumira ka naman diyan.’ Nagkataon lang,” he said.
Due to that huge shot, Bolick, who finished with 13 points, earned co-All-Star Game MVP honors with Aguilar, who tallied 21 points. But taking home the trophy will be the young guard after asking his ‘kuya.’
(C) PBA Images
“Pasalamat din ako kay Japeth, binigay niya sa akin yung All-Star [MVP]. Sabi ko bigay mo na sa akin ‘yan, ang dami mo ng trophy doon sa bahay,” he said.
The San Beda product, though, believes that CJ Perez deserves to have gotten the citation after finishing with 39 points, including 28 in the second period,
“Pero talaga para sa akin, MVP si CJ talaga,” he opined. “Ginawa talaga ni CJ, halftime 32 points na, ilan ba siya natapos? 50? 39?”
Nonetheless, Bolick and Co. are glad with the way the ASG turned out after initially believing that it would be a one-sided affair all throughout.
“Akala ko lalaruin ‘yung overtime. Mas maganda ‘yung may panalo. Pero All-Star ‘to e, at least maganda para sa akin, ako ‘yung nagpatabla,” he said.
