Returning Bolick gets chance to reignite NLEX
From the euphoria of winning the Southeast Asian Games in perhaps the most difficult fashion, Robert Bolick returns to PBA duties where he will try to keep NLEX’s campaign alive on Christmas Day.
Bolick and the Road Warriors face an uphill battle in trying to overhaul San Miguel Beer’s twice-to-beat advantage as the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup gets under way at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s gonna be tough, but we have to hurdle this challenge,” Bolick said ahead of their square off at 5:15 p.m. in a matchup between the top-seeded Beermen and the No. 8 Road Warriors.
Converge seeks a breakthrough semifinals berth, also with the twice-to-beat incentive at hand, and eliminate crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra in the 7:30 p.m. contest that will conclude the holiday doubleheader.
Major player
Led by super rookie Juan Gómez de Liaño, the FiberXers were able to take the No. 4 seed at 7-4, but are hoping to make short work of a Ginebra side that went on a late surge to place fifth with the same record.
The quarterfinals is going to be Bolick’s first action in an NLEX uniform since playing a major part in Gilas Pilipinas’ gold-medal triumph in the regional sports spectacle in Thailand.
He was the emotional leader of the team hastily formed after the eligibility ruling was implemented at the last minute.
But Bolick and Gilas were able to weather that adversity, one of many, and won all four games despite falling behind in the first half, including the hostile encounter with host Thailand for the gold.
His performance has prompted fans to suggest that Bolick can be a candidate for coach Tim Cone’s Gilas pool in future Fiba windows and competitions.
“I get called again, why not?” he said. “But if not, let’s support those who are there.”
While Bolick was able to create arguably the best moment of his basketball career, NLEX endured a tailspin without him.
The Road Warriors were in contention for a twice-to-beat slot at 6-2 before Bolick got called for national cause. Without him, NLEX lost its last three games to fall outside of the incentive.
