WHO said the three-point shot is the great equalizer?
In this year’s edition of the mid-season extravaganza, a five-point play spelled the big difference.
Team Mark and NLEX star Robert Bolick completed a rare and special five-point conversion–his eyes must have widened after getting the ball following a Team Japeth turnover with 17.8 seconds to go and targeted the hoop from the four-point line and about 25 feet away.
Swished–basketball-loving Negrenses at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod roared in euphoria as Team Japeth’s Calvin Oftana also fouled Bolick.
He canned the bonus free throw and Oftana missed on a driving layup in the last play as the charges of Team Mark’s coach Jorge Gallent held their ground for a 140-140 stalemate in the PBA All-Star Game last Sunday night.
While the result was a bitter pill to swallow especially after his crew seemed to have the win in the bag after leading by as much as 32 points early in the second quarter (56-24), Team Japeth coach Tim Cone gave Bolick the ultimate praise.
“That’s Robert. That’s a legendary shot and it’s gonna be an All-Star legend shot,” Cone said. “In the next 10 All- Stars they’re always going to talk about that particular shot.
“Robert is going to owe him (Oftana) some money for the endorsements he’ll get for being an All-Star legend. Robert made an incredible shot and that’s what he does, making incredible shots. That’s why he’s an All-Star,” he added.
Bolick notched just 13 points but 10 of those came in the final quarter, including the rare five-point play in the endgame to share MVP honors with Japeth Aguilar and a P20,000 cash prize.
“Akala ko wala na talaga kami. Thirty seconds, parang lamang yata sila ng siyam? E, ganoon talaga. Bilog ang bola,” Bolick said.
San Miguel Beer standout CJ Perez showed the way for Team Mark with 39 points laced with three rebounds, and five assists, while skipper Mark Barroca chipped in 20 markers, four boards, and seven dimes.
The likes of Calvin Abueva (18), reigning seven-time pro league MVP June Mar Fajardo (17), and Ricci Rivero (15) also hit double figures for Team Mark.
It was the first draw in the All-Star tiff since 2017 when Gilas Pilipinas and the PBA Mindanao All-Stars wound up in 114-all in Cagayan de Oro City.
With the game ending up in a tie, the PBA Board opted to give both squads P150,000 each.
Both Team Japeth and Team Mark were also declared co-winners in the traditional dance contest preceding the All-Star duel that gave both teams another P150,000 each.
