Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Robert Bolick suffered an ACL tear in his right knee, a reliable source said Tuesday.
The source close to the fast-rising NorthPort guard also said Bolick will go under the knife Wednesday and is expected to be out for eight months.
The 24-year-old Bolick hurt his knee as he drove to the basket with eight minutes left in the Batang Pier’s 127-119 win over the San Miguel Beermen last Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome.
Bolick is one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year along with Columbian’s CJ Perez.
The former San Beda star averaged 12.9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists through seven games in the ongoing 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Bolick’s injury deals a huge blow to NorthPort’s playoff chances although the Batang Pier still hold the eighth and last quarterfinal spot with a 3-4 record.
Without Bolick, NorthPort will be expecting more from its do-it-all import Michael Qualls and newly-acquired big man Christian Standhardinger.
Both Qualls and Standhardinger delivered impressive performances in their debut for the Batang Pier against the Grand Slam-seeking Beermen.
Qualls starred with 40 points and 18 rebounds in his PBA debut while Standhardinger, whom San Miguel traded for Mo Tautuaa, collected 18 points, five rebounds and seven assists while playing heavy minutes.
NorthPort returns to action on Sunday against Alaska at Araneta Coliseum.