NLEX Road Warriors’ Robert Bolick in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—NLEX lost big on Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup but Robert Bolick was still somehow beaming at the end of the match.
And why wouldn’t he be? A few days ago, Bolick and his wife Cassandra gave birth to Zachary Wardell Robert Bolick, their first child.
“I’m happy, so happy. When I became champion in San Beda, it was a good feeling, right? Three-peat and all, but none of that compares to what I felt when I saw them [doctors] deliver my child. It’s really no joke what our mothers and my wife went through,” said Bolick in Filipino after their win over Rain or Shine.
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“With that alone, I was motivated. But when you get inside the court, that’s not something you think about. So I was shocked with what I did tonight because from hadn’t practiced since SUnday. I barely slept while taking care of my wife and kid, but when I got here, I was inspired.”
Bolick played without any shortage of motivation as he dropped a game-high 38 points with five assists and four rebounds to match.
WATCH: NLEX’s Robert Bolick explains his emotions after his wife gave birth to his son a few days ago. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/McODTMOsRl
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 3, 2024
But despite that, Bolick still can’t quite be too happy with how the Road Warriors are faring.
After going on a stellar start in the Philippine Cup, NLEX found itself crashing in the later part of the conference with a four-game losing skid.
“I’m happy because I have a kid now but inside [the court], it’s painful. We lost. Nobody’s happy when we lose. We don’t think about that [losing streak] anymore. We’re on to the next game.”
READ: PBA: As fatherhood beckons, Robert Bolick shifts to higher gear
The Road Warriors have one final chance to bolster their quarterfinal bid on Sunday on the last day of the eliminations when they face second-seeded Ginebra at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The stakes are high, and the mountain to climb is rough, but the new father is carrying his optimism from outside the court to inside the hardwood.
“We still have a chance. One more game [to go]. Anything can happen and our backs are against the wall. We need to forget all about these because it’s tough to go on back-to-back losses.”