Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
In the middle of a loud Smart Araneta Coliseum during the second game in the Finals between San Beda and Lyceum, Robert Bolick and CJ Perez shared a quiet moment.
Perez left the game with 36 seconds left, just before San Beda celebrated its 92-82 title-clincher, but Bolick stopped him on the way to the Lyceum bench to share some words.
“I told him ‘good job, you made it tough on me,’” said Bolick in Filipino Thursday as San Beda won its 21st seniors basketball title. “I told him ‘you know what, you did a good job, you’re the guy who came in and made an 18-0 sweep.’”
“Last year, they never did it and they were very low in the standings.”
Lyceum finished the Season 93 eliminations with a perfect 18-0 record after Season 92’s ninth place finish where it went 6-12 without Perez, who was still serving his residency at the school.
“This year, just one guy, he changed the culture of Lyceum,” said Bolick who finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and six assists in Game 2. “I said to him ‘keep your head up because there’s nothing to be ashamed of.’”
Bolick said it’s just unfortunate that Lyceum still hasn’t got the championship experience that could’ve saved them in crunch time.
As for San Beda, championship experience is practically running through its DNA.
Bolick gave the Red Lions an 89-82 lead with 50.9 seconds left with a cold-blooded triple with Lyceum’s Mike Nzesseu rising up to challenge him.
“I think the only advantage we have was our Finals experience, we know how to compose, and we know how to finish games in crunch time,” said Bolick. “I’m pretty sure next year, CJ will be working hard.”