There’s no denying how much of an impact Robert Bolick has had for NorthPort.
In the Batang Pier’s first two wins in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the rookie out of San Beda averaged 18.5 points. He willingly stepped up in lieu of Stanley Pringle, who’s out due to recovery from bone spurs removal on his foot.
On Wednesday evening, Pringle returned to action when NorthPort faced Terrence Jones and another unbeaten team in the TNT KaTropa. It was expected that Bolick’s numbers would dip slightly, but he proved otherwise.
After Pringle led a 21-0 spree that gave NorthPort an 18-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Bolick did his part in further compounding TNT’s woes. He scored 13 in the period alone, including 11 straight in a span of two minutes.
For the Rookie of the Year favorite, having the league’s reigning scoring champion around him really inspires him to be at his best – not just in this particular game versus TNT, but as well as in practices and whatnot.
“‘Pag may Stanley Pringle ka, araw-araw kang may competition ka, araw-araw may kaharap kang mas magaling sa’yo na gusto mong tapatan di. Kaso maswerte ako kasi first year ko pa man din, nandyan kaagad ako sa kanya.
“Nakita mo, kakabalik pa lang sa injury masakit pa rin, parang wala eh. Yun yung nakikita ko araw-araw, ina-adopt ko sa game ko,” said Bolick.
He may have delivered well yet again, but Bolick did not take the spotlight all on himself. For him, it was their defense that worked wonders, especially on TNT’s Terrence Jones, who got limited to 17 points after averaging 42.0 prior.
“Nag-start sa defense eh. ‘Pag nagsimula kami sa defense, ganito mangyayari. Yung focus namin sa defense.
“Sobrang laking tulong talaga ni [Prince] Ibeh. Grabe siyang mag-help sa depensa namin. Siya naga-anchor sa depensa namin. Without him, makakapag-40 na naman si Terrence Jones,” said NorthPort’s third overall pick in 2018.
He added, “Sean Anthony, Mo Tautuaa, nasa harap sila eh. Nakabantay parati kay Jones. Dahil sa kanila, napadali sa akin at sa mga gwardya.”
