San Beda guard Robert Bolick. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Robert Bolick’s basketball career will certainly have a chapter dedicated to De La Salle University.
He was a Green Archer first and a Red Lion second.
And on Sunday, he added another entry into that chapter when he punctured La Sallians’ hearts with a dagger of a triple to lead San Beda to a 75-72 win in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Finals.
READ: Bolick, San Beda edge La Salle for Filoil title
In a game that got rowdy, noisy, and sure as hell crazy, Bolick remembered to thank La Salle despite crushing its preseason dreams.
“The game was competitive and that’s what makes a game great, and I’d like to thank them because they gave us a good fight,” said Bolick after finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
“Both teams can win the title, and I really like Ben [Mabala] because he’s been talking trash to me the whole game but after the game we’re still friends.”
This is basketball, however, and only one team wins and it was Bolick, who made sure that happened.
And he had some early morning inspiration before he thrashed the Green Archers in clutch time.
Bolick said he watched the replay of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.
And one play remained in his mind up until the final minute of his own championship game.
“When I watched the Kyrie [Irving] shot, I thought ‘wow that’s amazing’ and I wished that the same thing would happen to me,” said Bolick, who was referring to Kyrie Irving’s clutch triple in the Cavaliers’ title run in 2016.
“I saw the defensive switch, and I thought for a second if I should drive or if I shoot, thank God it went in.”