Having been a pro for the nine years – five in the PBA – Stanley Pringle has seen plenty of good guards. But the 6-foot-1 guard would be the first to admit that he has never been with a young yet savvy guard like Robert Bolick.
“Oh man, he’s not even a rookie.
“He’s ready to go to work already. He’s gonna be key to our success, too,” gushed Pringle.
In his PBA debut, Bolick – the 2017 Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Year – showed that he can keep up with the big boys. He tallied 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting in NorthPort’s 117-91 win over Blackwater.
Beyond the eye-popping numbers, Bolick also showed that he can work well with Pringle, as the Northport lifer added 16 points, seven rebounds, six steals, and five assists to his name.
The chemistry between the two is noticeable. And it’s because of how Pringle has taken Bolick under his wing.
“Kita mo nga ‘pag kinausap mo yung tao para ‘di star player eh, napaka-humble, napaka-simpleng tao,” Bolick disclosed.
“Lagi niya ako kinakausap na to just play my game,” the former Red Lion star added. “Nakikita ko sa practice mga ginagawa niya eh.
“Siyempre kailangan ko kunin yung paano siya mag-work out, ang galing eh. Ginagaya ko lang,” he added.
But it was not just Bolick and Pringle who delivered, as four more Batang Pier players finished in double-digits. Paolo Taha had 21 points; Sean Anthony finished with 19 points; while Bradwyn Guinto and Mo Tautuaa added 13 and 11 points, respectively. Lervin Flores played the part of glue guy, as he gobbled down 12 boards.
Seeing this, Pringle – who has only been in the semifinals once – is optimistic that they can finally break out of the hump.
“Yeah, it’s gonna be a good season. We gotta take it game by game. I don’t wanna jinx anybody and say ‘We’re gonna win a championship’. But game by game, and the thing is, when it gets tough, everybody just don’t give up. Keep playing through things, and keep working hard, and play for the best,” he expressed.
“Game by game.”
He admitted, though, that the key will be Bolick.
“When we play a tough team in the playoffs, he’s not a rookie. I told him already, we need you to go to work. Be out there, calling the plays, hitting big shots,” Pringle said.
“He’s definitely gonna be key to our success, and our other young guys.”
