ROBERT Bolick was set to bring his act to Taiwan until NorthPort used its 30-day matching period to keep him in its roster.
NorthPort’s move meant Bolick will only be able to sign a contract with Taichung in T1 on March 2 when the Taiwan pro league is about to wind up its regular season.
Without a choice, the 6-foot-1 Bolick, who was already in Taiwan last week but opted to return to the country, signed a deal that will see him playing until the end of the PBA Governors’ Cup with the Batang Pier.
A usually unimpeachable Malaya-Business Insight insider insisted Bolick is still raring to play overseas.
“Kung March 2 pa isi-sign ng Taichung si Bolick, too late, ‘di ba? March 1 ang deadline.
February 1 natapos ang contract ni Bolick sa NorthPort, may 30 days matching offer sila (Batang Pier),” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said yesterday.
“Gusto ni Bolick maglaro sa Taiwan pero pitstop lang iyon. Pero sa Japan niya talaga gusto, sa B. League kaso ang signing doon, sa June pa.”
Bolick, 27, has also drawn interest from teams in the Japan B. League.
The fledgling Japan league will open signings for its 2023-2024 season in June– just when Bolick’s supposed 16-week deal will end in Taiwan.
“After matapos ng contract ni Bolick at the end of the Governors’ Cup, kahit mag-match ulit ang NorthPort ng 30-day offer, wala na. Sa June 1, puwede nang pumirma si Bolick overseas,” the source said. “Wala ng balakid talaga.”
The likes of Dwight Ramos, brothers Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño and Kobe Paras chose to bring their acts to the Japan B. League last year.
SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Justin Gutang, Rhenz Abando followed suit this year in the Korean Basketball League, while Jason Brickman is also playing in Taiwan.
PBA stars such as Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, Greg Slaughter, and free agents Roosevelt Adams and Jay Washington have also seen action in Japan.
