THERE are plenty of reasons why NLEX craved to get its hands on prolific guard Robert Bolick.
A Green Archer and a Red Lion in college and initially a Batang Pier in his first four years in the pro league, Bolick is fast turning out to the Road Warriors’ new main man.
With Bolick taking over in the endgame, NLEX essayed a 103-97 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Blackwater last night for its third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Bolick, acquired by the Road Warriors in a three-team trade last December, showed he is a big-time player in the clutch, booming in two backbreaking three-pointers that broke the hearts of the Bossing.
Jaydee Tungcab’s left corner triple pulled Blackwater to within 94-97 with 1:10 to go before Bolick answered with a trey that gave NLEX a 100-94 buffer, 23 seconds later.
During his mini-celebration, Bolick mimicked an Archer–aiming at an imaginary target and hitting a virtual bullseye–or maybe he was not illusional after that trifecta over the outstretched arms of Bossing big man Bradwyn Guinto nearly took the fight out of Blackwater.
Rey Suerte kept the Bossing’s hopes alive with a three but if Bolick’s first three-pointer was not enough, he followed it up with one more that proved to be the most telling of blows, 103-97, only 30.2 ticks left.
Road Warriors deputy tactician Borgie Hermida, who spoke in lieu of coach Frankie Lim, insisted Bolick does a lot of things for the squad.
“Ang sabi nga ni coach Frankie, buti may Bolick kami. You know what’s good about Robert is that he produces a lot of points kung makikita ninyo, 30, 40 points siya, last game, career-high (46),” Hermida said. “If you will look at the assist department, magaling ding pumasa si Bolick.
“Ninety percent of the time nasa kanya ang bola, and 90 percent of the time good decisions ang ginagawa niya,” he added.
Assistant strategist Jong Uichico called the shots for NLEX, which missed the services of Lim due to a finger injury.
Bolick barely missed a triple double with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists for the Road Warriors, while rookie Jhan Nermal collected 16 markers and seven boards.
Robbie Herndon, Dominick Fajardo, Baser Amer, and David Semerad also added 14, 14, 12, and 11 points, respectively NLEX scored a big follow up to a 115-93 whipping of Converge five nights back and rose to 4-1.
Blackwater absorbed its first loss of the season-ending tilt after failing to do an encore to a 90-78 triumph also against the FiberXers last week and slipped to 3-1.
The Bossing raced to a 23-12 lead early on before settling for a 51-50 cushion at the break.
Blackwater still held a 72-71 edge going into the fourth quarter.
Suerte carried the fight for the Bossing with 21 points, seven caroms, and four dimes, while Troy Rosario had 16 markers.
Rey Nambatac, Tungcab, and Guinto also got 16, 15, and 12 points, respectively for Blackwater.
