Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Robert Bolick was left dumbfounded when he was ejected late in San Beda’s 72-58 win over College of St. Benilde on Tuesday.
Bolick was nearing a triple-double with 14 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds before an incident involving him and Blazers guard Carlo Young triggered a scuffle.
“He took me down and I didn’t do anything. You saw the video, you be the judge,” he said.
Bolick and his teammate Clint Doliguez, who entered the court during the melee, were tossed with 2:28 still left.
Tempers flared but Bolick understands that what happened is just part of the game.
“I know him and that’s the way he plays. He’s Visayan and that’s how we play. He took me down, but I really don’t care. It’s part of the game. They’re frustrated because we’re up, but it happens to all,” Bolick said.
“They want to win so bad, we want to win so bad. But they say I had a closed fist? Just watch the video. I know I did not do that. They think I did that so I’ll accept whatever consequences are.”
The 21-year-old argued that he feels he didn’t do anything to merit an ejection in the tussle, saying that after he was taken down, all he was trying to do is to stand up and shoot the ensuing free throws — which makes all the judgment more baffling in Bolick’s view.
The 21-year-old Bolick believes he did not deserve to be ejected.
“You be the judge. You’re here every game and you can see it. Maybe on my side, when I feel that I am wrong, I know that I’m wrong. But I know I didn’t do anything. I just want to play the game that I love, growing up because this is my sport,” he said.
“Whatever the referees or the commissioner does, if they’re mad at me, they’re critical of the team, it’s already their problem. That’s their job, and if they think they’ve done their job, then they’ve done their job. My job is to play for my team and bring the spirit, heart, love for the game and I hope that whatever the consequences they want to give me, I’ll accept it with a full heart. They think I did something? I was the one who got hurt and I was even thrown out.”
The ejection could cost Bolick a one-game suspension, which would take effect on Friday against Mapua, and eligibility to vie for any individual award.
“I can only say one thing: I really don’t care if they hate me, and that’s fine with me. My teammates are telling me that I can still win the MVP, but I told them I’m not playing to be the MVP. I don’t want to play to be the MVP this season. I couldn’t care less. I’m not playing for MVP stats. I’m just playing to win. Give the MVP to anyone else,” he said.
“One thing that they’ll never take away is the win, the love of the game that I bring to my teammates, coaches, and the staff. I really don’t care if they hate San Beda or whatever. That’s fine. But they’ll never take the will for me to win another championship this year and to give back to San Beda.”