2017 was a good year for San Beda College’s ace guard Robert Bolick
The 5-foot-11 combo guard from Ormoc, Leyte started the year by leading the Cignal-San Beda Hawkeyes to the top of the semi-pro ranks, winning the PBA Aspirant’s Cup while taking home the Most Valuable Player plum. All the while, he was also a vital cog in the Red Lions’ championship campaign in the Filoil Preseason Premier Cup.
It did not stop there as he ended the year with the NCAA championship. Bolick proved clutch during San Beda’s two-game sweep of the top-seeded Lyceum Pirates to keep the crown in Mendiola.
“Blessed,” reflected Bolick. “Pasalamat ako kay Lord dahil binigyan niya ako ng chance maging healthy, binigyan niya ‘ko ng biyaya na makapaglaro ng maayos.
“Pero work hard pa rin ako. Yung ginawa ko nung 2017 — yun yung isa sa mga best years ko — I hope na this year sa 2018 ganun pa rin.”
Though it will be tough to top his 2017 campaign, his 2018 started off on a high note as he was named to the 23 for 2023 Gilas cadets pool.
Being an underdog for the majority of his life, Bolick admitted that never in his wildest dreams did he ever think that he will be part of the country’s elite club.
“Saya kasi magagaling na yung kasama ko eh. And you have to play sa level na pinaglalaruan nila, which is medyo malayo pa,” Bolick shared. “Masaya kasi eto na yung dream namin eh — ‘di lang ako, lahat naman. Eto yung gusto naming mangyari sa buhay namin.
“Yun nga sabi ko sa kanila: kahit ‘di ako ma-lineup sa 12-man, o kahit ito na yung last practice ko, at least nakapag-practice ako rito, at least na-feel ko paano mag-represent ng country.”
According to assistant coach Jimmy Alapag, Bolick and NCAA rival CJ Perez are part of the cornerstones of the program moving forward.
Bolick though knows that he still has a lot of things to work on to earn that spot. The only thing he can give the team right now is his passion and dedication.
“Siguro yung toughness, yung heart, wanting to win kahit sa practice. Yun yung kaya ko maibigay sa kanila kasi skills-wise lahat meron na sila eh.
“Patibayan na lang ng puso, alam ko ‘tong mga ‘to, matitibay, tagal-tagal na nila naglalaro ng basketball. Ako bata pa, willing to learn ako sa kanila,” he vowed.
