Robert Bolick emerges a hero again for NorthPort. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Robert Bolick has now made two consecutive clutch baskets in a span of as many games, the only difference this time though is his game-winner against Meralco was as bright as a summer day.
The star rookie gave NorthPort the 93-92 win over the Bolts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after he converted on a gutsy layup with 3.9 seconds left that virtually erased the awkward shot in the Batang Pier’s previous game.
Bolick also lifted the Batang Pier to their 110-108 win over Columbian on July 3 but the his game-winning layup with 2.8 seconds left was put on the board not for a clear swish through the basket but through a goaltending violation.
“I just want to make up from what I did last game and these are the kinds of moments you live for as a player,” said Bolick in Filipino Friday at Cuneta Astrodome.
“I just want to win, so I took the opportunity to get that last shot and it wen in.”
Bolick’s game-winner against the Bolts came off one of Pido Jarencio’s trademark after timeout plays that saw Sol Mercado inbound the ball to the rookie who then drove past Cliff Hodge for the layup.
The Bolts had one last chance for the win but Chris Newsome’s reverse layup missed, allowing the Batang Pier to finish their elimination round schedule at 9-2.
More than his game-winner, though, Bolick said the win was a huge boost for them going into the playoffs.
“Personally I just want to win because this is a stepping stone for us to the playoffs,” said Bolick, who had 18 points in the game. “It’s good for us to enter the quarterfinals on a winning note.”