Robert Bolick made it a point to go to the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong just to watch his NorthPort Batang Pier take on the Alaska Aces in a tuneup ahead of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup, Wednesday.
This, even if he and Gilas Pilipinas only returned to the country this Tuesday from the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
“Tapos na ‘ko dun, tapos na yung ano namin. Focus na ‘ko dito. Bawi naman kami sa Governors’ Cup,” said the rookie out of San Beda after the friendly, which the Batang Pier won, 84-77.
Gilas may have returned home winless with a 0-5 card, but there’s no denying Bolick impact in the global showpiece with per-game averages of 8.6 points and 1.2 rebounds.
For Bolick, he will simply use the experience to hone more weapons for his arsenal.
“Basta ako, laro lang ako. Kung ano yung natutunan ko dun, gagamitin ko. Kung ano yung laro ko, yun pa rin laro ko. Maga-add lang ako ng konti, [kasi] kailangan madami kang weapon,” he said.
Asked for the biggest lessons from in his World Cup debut, Bolick said: “Patience tsaka execution nila; yung chemistry nila iba; ‘pag nalibre shoot, mga ganun.
“Yun yung mga gusto ko rin i-add sa game ko. Kung paano mag-execute, maging patient sa offense; paano sila dumipensa, paano sila mag-usap, mga ganun,” he furthered.
The product of San Beda expressed his eagerness to return to the Batang Pier practices after being away. He will report to practice on Thursday, though he’ll have another brief absence.
Bolick will celebrate his 24th birthday this Friday, September 13. And what better way to do it — and of course, get some much-needed rest — than flying back to his hometown in Leyte.
“Practice ako bukas, tapos Friday birthday ko kasi, eh. ‘Di pa ko nakakapag-pahinga,” he said. “Sabi ko lang kina coach kahit three days lang, spend time lang ako sa family ko and then Monday practice na.”
“Si Robert, galing sa World Cup. Medyo pagod yung bata. Bigyan din natin ng leeway,” said coach Pido Jarencio. “Mag-eensayo siya bukas, pero uuwi muna siya ng Ormoc nitong weekend.
“Pinayagan na natin. Next week banat na yan.”
