A star in college, Bolick prepared to go back to square one in the pros

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Perspective has helped keep Robert Bolick on even keel through the highs and lows of life. And as he counts down the days leading to the PNA Rookie Draft, the San Beda star hopes to use perspective to help him as he turns pro.

“I’ve maintained a positive outlook ever since,” Bolick told the Inquirer. “God has not given me anything I couldn’t overcome.

Those days riding the bench at La Salle “was nothing but a challenge,” he said, calling it the catalyst that triggered his jump to San Beda—one that gave him a new shot at superstardom. “I embraced each moment thinking maybe it’s an opportunity I needed to seize.”

Now, the 23-year-old Leyte native is on the cusp of realizing a basketball dream. After multiple stints with San Beda that were adorned with championships, Bolick is least concerned with the PBA team that picks him.

His agenda? Everyone’s happiness—along with bringing his mother onto the stage.

“Has anybody done that?” he asked. “Whichever team chooses, I’m fine with it.”

“If a team wants me, magpapakamatay na ako para sa kanila,” Bolick said. “I’m OK with playing for whatever team, whoever is the coach. I know I’ll give it my all.”

Bolick shares the spotlight with Ray Parks and CJ Perez. The three are projected to become the top picks of the event slated at Robinson’s Manila in Ermita.

But Bolick wants the day to be about everyone who applied for the draft.

“I want everyone here to become happy,” Bolick added. “I want everyone’s dream to be fulfilled, not only mine.”

Having refined his game with his stint with the Lions and the D-League, Bolick feels he’s primed to play against the league’s top backcourt stars.

“Chris Banchero, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Chris Ross?” he said. “I’m excited to play them all to know how far I could go in this league. I know I’ll learn a lot from them.”

Bolick, though, knows how to put things in perspective: Going pro brings him back to square one.

“I was a veteran at San Beda. Once drafted, I’m going to be a rookie once again. I’ll just lay it all out there,” he said.

“I’m just going to play my game. I won’t change. I just want the team to be happy—for everyone to be happy.”