Robert Bolick is yearning for consistency after NLEX nearly fell prey to a desperate Terrafirma in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup encounter Saturday.
The star guard did come through with the dagger to save his side, but was far from pleased with the way he and the Road Warriors performed overall, warning that they cannot afford to play that way entering the eliminations’ final stretch.
“Pangit ng laro namin ngayon, sobra,” he lamented moments after their 95-85 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Sobrang pangit ng laro namin.”
NLEX had already turned the game around in its favor after staring at a 42-27 lead, roaring to 34 big points in the third to build a 14-point cushion, which eventually became a 74-56 spread early in the deciding chapter.
However, they allowed the Dyip to catch up behind the Ahanmisi Bros. and Mubashar Ali, and that big of a gap would become trimmed to merely four points, 89-85, behind Maverick with less than two minutes remaining.
Fortunately for the Road Warriors, Cady Lalanne pushed their lead back to six through a perfect trip to the foul line, then came Bolick with a tough stepback four-pointer for the eventual scoreline with only 53.8 seconds left to play.
Yet it didn’t shake off the 30-year-old guard’s concerns as their inconsistency reared its ugly head once again–something that’s actually been their issue even during their fiery four-game winning streak.
(C) PBA Images
Before that dramatic come-from-behind win over Meralco behind LJ Gonzales’ game-winning trey last April 17, the crew wasted a hot start against Macau three nights prior, but recovered in the fourth to leave with the 106-97 result.
Then against San Miguel last April 19, Coach Jong Uichico’s men got off to a blistering start and even led by 15, but the traditional powerhouse came back strong as Bennie Boatwright led the solid windup for the 98-93 victory.
That loss spoiled their plans of winning five straight, but they bounced back quickly against Terrafirma, yet none of them were satisfied.
Because Bolick feels worried more than anything else, given the fact that their next two assignments will be against teams in need of wins as well.
NLEX will be facing Rain or Shine next on April 29 in what could be a battle for the top seed, as the latter, as it stands, is at 7-1 atop the standings.
Then on May 2, it would be Converge, which is currently within the bottom four with a 3-6 card and would need to ace its remaining outings to make a serious push for the quarterfinals, where the top eight teams will advance.
“Di kami puwede ganito, lalo na sa mga next games namin: no. 1 sa league, tapos ‘yung Converge na kailangan ng panalo. Hindi kami pwedeng akyat-baba, kumbaga,” said Bolick, who finished with 20 points versus the Dyip.
“Kailangan tingnan namin ‘yung sarili namin, kailangan may killer instinct kami sa mga ganitong situation,” he added.
“Ang daming gusto mag-Top Four, may chance kami. Kailangan kunin namin ‘yung mga ganito.”
