This season, the San Beda Red Lions and the Perpetual Altas faced off three times. And during those games, the two squads created beautiful basketball that saw the backcourts of each squad shine.
Though San Beda were able to get all three matches, Robert Bolick could not help laud the Altas for giving them a good fight.
“Salute din kay coach Frankie [Lim], yung game plan niya maganda rin, salute to them sa magandang season nila,” said Bolick, who scored 23 points in San Beda’s Finals-clinching win over Perpetual, 83-72. “Kung nandun si [Keith] Pido, I’m sure mas mahirap sila kalaban.
“I hope na maging okay siya, para next year, okay na sila and si coach Boyet [Fernandez] na ang mahirapan.”
Even without Pido, the Altas relied on guards Jielo Razon and Edgar Charcos. And even against Bolick, they did not back down.
Razon, who had a team-high 16 points in the game, showed that he was not intimidated by Bolick as the two had a verbal tussle during the final moments of the game.
After the game, Bolick made sure to talk to Razon and give him some advice.
“Wala ganun talaga. Yun ang trabaho niya, kukulitin ganun, naiintindihan ko rin yung ganun kasi ganun din ako dati eh, sa La Salle, ganun din ako. Naiintindihan ko siya, first year niya, maganda naman ang papakita. Sana ituloy-tuloy niya,” disclosed the reigning Collegiate Player of the Year.
“Sabi ko lang: four more years, stay humble and continue what you’re doing, hopefully marating niya ang gusto niyang marating.”
Moreover, Bolick saw many similarities between him and Charcos, as both started out in the UAAP before eventually shining in the Grand Old League.
“Lahat sila doon competitive eh, si Charcos ganun din, ‘di siya masyadong nagagamit sa UE pumunta siya dito, stellar performance right away. Ganun din ang nangyari sa akin eh, so natutuwa ako sa mga ganung klaseng player,” Bolick beamed.
With them steering the wheel for Perpetual, Bolick sees a bright future for the Las Piñas-based squad. The graduating Bedan is hoping that the results will still be the same.
“Hopefully, next year tuloy-tuloy nila, pero dapat manalo pa rin kami.”
