To be the best, you have to beat the best
Robert Bolick felt empty after the San Beda Red Lions’ 73-60 Game one triumph over the Lyceum Pirates. The result was definitely expected, as the Pirates did not have ace CJ Perez in their lineup due to a one-game suspension imposed by the NCAA.
For the last two years, Bolick and Perez have been the perfect foils. Bolick, a 6-foot-1 combo guard, and Perez, a 6-foot-2 utility swingman, are seen as two of the top collegiate players in the country. Whenever they share the court, they always bring out the best in each other.
But this time around, Bolick had an easy time tallying 12 points and nine assists. Perez, on the other hand, was not even in the venue.
“Nung first half nanibago sila, first time nila naglaro na wala si CJ,” noted the 23-year-old, as this was the first time this season that Perez was not around for the Pirates.
“Sa amin ilang beses hindi ako naglaro, si [Javee] Mocon ‘di naglaro so alam na namin ang gagawin,” he furthered.
“Sila first time pa lang tapos Finals pa ganun yung pinakita nila, so nirerespeto ko yung pinakita nila.”
The native of Ormoc, Leyte knows that it would have been a different story with Perez around. Besides it being a different game for Lyceum, it would have been different for him as well.
“Siyempre gusto ko yung best niya, gusto ko yung pinaka best niya para makapag-compete.”
With six days until Game 2, Bolick is already prepping himself for the return of his arch-rival.
“Kung ano yung best niya, yun yung gusto ko makita on Monday. Siyempre ‘pag may kalaban kang magaling na player may matutunan ka rin, yun ang gusto ko mangyari,” the reigning Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year expressed.
“‘Di rin magpapatalo yun last year niya, ayaw din niyang maging last game yun. Kami naman gusto namin maging last game yun.”
