Beermen come to Robert Bolick’s side after NorthPort’s tough loss to San Miguel. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Robert Bolick had a chance to make history in the final seconds of NorthPort’s 90-88 loss to San Miguel in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night.
The prized rookie could have sent the Batang Pier to the semifinals with a buzzer-beating heave, or three free-throws at least, but Arwind Santos was there to challenge his buzzer-beater attempt.
No whistles were blown, ending NorthPort’s bid to advance and leaving Bolick, who showed tremendous heart in the game, dejected.
Acknowledging Bolick’s noteworthy performance for Batang Pier, Chris Ross and Arwind Santos were quick to offer messages of encouragement to the young point guard.
“I just told him that we’ve also experienced what he just went through,” said Santos, who scored five straight points to give San Miguel an 87-86 lead with 1:23 left, in Filipino.
“I also told him that he’s done so much for his team and it’s because of him that NorthPort’s improved.”
Robert Bolick on the floor after his hail mary attempt. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Bolick, the third overall pick of the 2018 Draft, finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
Of the 13 points Bolick scored, none were bigger than the deuce he tallied on a difficult layup off the glass against Santos that gave the Batang Pier an 88-87 lead with 31.8 seconds to play.
But that was immediately erased when Chris McCullough scored on his own driving layup for the Beermen’s 89-88 lead with 26.2 seconds remaining.
Ross, who even embraced Bolick afterwards, chose not to divulge what he told Bolick right after the loss.
As for Santos, he told Bolick that he would always have a chance in the league and the win will eventually come to him.
“I think now he was just a little unlucky,” said Santos of Bolick. “I think God gave us this win but Robert shouldn’t give up hope. There’s always a chance, it won’t be gone.”