Robert Bolick’s first bucket in the PBA was a shot he had done time and again in the NCAA with the San Beda Red Lions.
With 10:50 left in the opening frame, the 6-foot-1 combo guard slashed the lane with vigor, then swooped through the air for an acrobatic lay-up – his trademark shot during his collegiate days. He was then able to draw a foul against Roi Sumang for the and-one.
Welcome to the PBA, Robert Bolick.
“Actually, talagang nag-complement si Bolick sa team,” admitted NorthPort Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio.
But that was just the start for the three-time NCAA champion. Bolick torched the Blackwater Elite to the tune of 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting, spiked by three triples, to lead the Batang Pier to a dominant 117-91 win over the Elite.
The third overall pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft downplayed his performance, however, saying that it’s just the first game.
“Napaka-swerte ko sa team, sobrang bait nila. ‘Di na ako gaano nag-adjust, ‘di na ganun kalaki yung adjustment na ginagawa ko,” Bolick beamed.
“Hopefully tuluy-tuloy. ‘Di pa naman ako kuntento kasi first game pa lang eh. Madami pang mabibigat na teams na kakalabanin. Kailangan ko lang mag-trabaho doble araw-araw.”
And in those games, Bolick vowed to Jarencio that he is willing to die for NorthPort.
“Pinoprotektahan ko lang naman yung family ko, yung Northport. Ayaw ko naman magpatalo. Nakikita ko rin yung winning attitude nila. Si coach Pido gustung-gusto talaga manalo nakikita ko,” expressed Bolick.
“Fit na fit talaga ko dito.“
“‘Yung Bolick, iba ‘yun, made na made na ‘yung bata. He’s a winner, tsaka coachable. Nakikinig,” Jarencio remarked about his young gun.
“Sabi nga niya sa amin, ‘Basta coach ako, magpapakamatay ako sa team.’ Sabi niya sa akin. Sabi ko naman sa kanya, ‘Pag masama ang laro mo, papatayin kita.’ ‘Yun lang ‘yun, diba?”
