Robert Bolick (with ball) works his way in for a bucket. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Coach Jong Uichico didn’t need to mimic a motivational speaker to stress what NLEX needed to do in getting into the win column following a brutal loss that opened the Road Warriors’ PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign.
“Just don’t play like we played the other game [because] it was really embarrassing,” said Uichico after the Road Warriors’ 107-95 victory over the Blackwater Bossing on Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
With ace scorer Robert Bolick bouncing back from a miserable showing offensively with 23 points, NLEX was able to redeem itself two nights after blowing a 16-point lead against NorthPort.
The Road Warriors would end up losing by 27 as Bolick was held to only three points that tied a career low.
“We got off to a good start [against NorthPort] because we followed coach Jong’s game plan to the letter,” said Bolick in Filipino. “The problem was we veered away from what we were preparing for the past few months and NorthPort caught up.
“That’s why coach emphasized the need to stick to our game plan, whether we score or not,” added Bolick. “Plus, my teammates also played well, which we hope to continue in the next game.”
NLEX won and boosted renewed optimism as Kevin Alas is finally ready for action after being sidelined for the last 12 months due to a third ACL injury.
Alas was in uniform, but the Road Warriors were in no rush to field the Hangzhou Asian Games gold medalist.
“We’re just following his timeline even though we can field him in,” said Uichico, while keeping mum on his guard’s possible return. “It would better be safe if we finish the timeline.”
Import Michael Griffin-Watkins finished with 26 points and 25 rebounds plus blocking three shots, even as Bolick added five rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.
Sophomores Richie Rodger and Enoch Valdez and rookie Xyrus Torres also contributed to the Road Warriors’ triumph.
Blackwater dropped to 0-2 this conference, which negated another high-scoring performance from import George King.