Robert Bolick’s transition to the pros was seamless.
The third overall pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft was sensational in his debut, leading the NorthPort Batang Pier to a dominant 117-91 victory over the Blackwater Elite, Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Bolick, the 2017 Chooks-to-Go/Collegiate Press Corps player of the year, finished with a line of 26 points, three rebounds, and two assists. The native of Ormoc, Leyte shot an efficient 10-of-12 from the field as well.
Bolick’s output is the most points scored by a rookie in a debut since 2009, or since current Barangay Ginebra Gin King Sol Mercado dropped 29 points for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters against the now-defunct Air21 Express.
“Actually talagang nag-compliment si Bolick sa team,” said NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio.
Fifth-year guard Paolo Taha impressed in the victory as well, as he produced 21 points and six rebounds. Team veteran Sean Anthony filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.
Anthony was at the forefront of NorthPort’s surge from behind, after they went down by 12 in the second frame. He captained his side to a 27-7 blitz to give the Batang Pier a 55-48 lead at the half – an advantage they would keep the rest of the way.
The Batang Pier would go on to lead by as much as 29, 111-82, after a Nico Elorde freebie with 4:54 left to play.
“We’re making our shots, yung decision-making maganda. We’re complementing each other, nagpapasahan, we’re getting rebounds, we’re running. Yan ang basketball namin – run and gun,” said Jarencio in the morale-boosting win.
Mythical First Team member Stanley Pringle had 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and six steals in the win.
Though the Elite lost, rookie Abu Tratter made his presence felt, as he led his side with 18 points and nine rebounds. Guard Roi Sumang supplied 16 points, five boards, and four dimes, while Allein Maliksi added 13 markers.
NorthPort will next face the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, January 20, at the same venue. On the other hand, Blackwater look to bounce back when they face the Meralco Bolts on Saturday, January 19, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
NorthPort 117 – Bolick 26, Taha 21, Anthony 19, Pringle 16, Guinto 12, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 5, Flores 4, Arana 3, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.
Blackwater 91 – Tratter 18, Sumang 16, Maliksi 13, Javier 11, Belo 8, Digregorio 5, Jose 5, Desiderio 5, Alolino 4, Sena 2, Banal 2, Eriobu 2, Palma 0, Dario 0.
Quarterscores: 22-31, 55-48, 88-75, 117-91.
