Robert Bolick draws inspiration from Jayson Castro as he begins international career

Robert Bolick during Gilas Pilipinas practice on Thursday. Photo by Tristan tamayo/INQUIRER.nety

MANILA, Philippines—Jayson Castro may have retired from international duty but a part of him will always be with Gilas Pilipinas⁠.

Robert Bolick, NorthPort’s star rookie in the PBA, attended his second day with the senior team and he rocked one of Castro’s jersey from the 2017 Fiba Asia Championship.

The crafty point guard said Castro is one of his idols and that he hopes the jersey would serve as a lucky charm for him as he begins his international career.

“Lucky charm? Of course. This is Jayson Castro,” said Bolick in Filipino Thursday at Meralco Gym. “Every person has an inspiration or wants to prove something and he’s one of the best point guards ever.”

“Not just me, but there are so many players who want to achieve what kuya Jayson achieved.”

Castro is regarded as one of the best point guards in Philippine history and received continental notoriety when he was named as Asia’s best point guard in 2013 and 2015.

The 33-year-old Castro owns two silver medals in the Fiba Asia Championship, a six-time PBA champion, a four-time Best Player of the Conference, and was named as one of the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players.

It’s not just Castro’s on-court skills that captivated Bolick, though; it was also the future legend’s innate kindness.

Bolick said he asked for Castro’s jersey in 2018 and it was only this year that he got his request granted.

“I’ve asked him for this a long time ago and it’s a good thing kuya Jayson’s a really kind person and he gave me this,” said Bolick. “I asked him before I got drafted. This is a great memorabilia piece, kuya Jayson’s one of the best point guards in Asia.”