Bolick eyes 1 more title

San Beda standout Robert Bolick’s transfer from La Salle to the Red Lions’ den hardly merited attention back in 2014. The under-the-radar move didn’t come as a surprise since Bolick rode the Green Archers’ bench for majority of his two-year stint in the UAAP.

But for someone who takes every slight as a challenge, Bolick’s forgettable stint with the Archers only lit a fire to prove his worth at San Beda, which he has now led to two titles.

Bolick pierced the hearts of the Lyceum Pirates with one big shot after another as the Red Lions completed a two-game sweep of the finals with a 92-82 win in Game 2 at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

“It was a good decision,” said Bolick, downplaying the move that has ensured the Lions’ dynasty continued in the NCAA.

With the selection for Finals Most Valuable Player based solely on statistical points, it was Bolick’s Cameroonian teammate, Donald Tankoua, who bagged the honor with 22 points and 18.5 rebounds per outing.

But with the game on the line down the stretch, San Beda’s fate rested in Bolick’s shoulders as he duly delivered critical plays, none bigger than the triple that gave the Lions an 89-82 lead with 50 seconds left in the game.

Bolick admitted not liking San Beda early in his career, having watched the likes of Baser Amer, Ola Adeogun and Art Dela Cruz destroy the opposition in the NCAA. But three years in Mendiola changed all that.

And as he climbed up the lower box of the Big Dome to celebrate with the San Beda faithful, Bolick formally etched his name as a Lions’ legend.

“The way they treat me, from the teachers, to the fathers, to the people in the cafeteria to the security guards, all of those in the school, you’re inspired to play for them because they have the passion,” said Bolick, who admitted foregoing his decision to join the PBA Draft for one more crack at a title next year. “I love San Beda and I will stay for one more year for them. I hope to win one more championship for them next year.”