Robert Bolick drives NLEX to victory with all-around outing
Robert Bolick’s all-around performance assured the NLEX Road Warriors at least a playoff for a quarterfinals spot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Bolick posted 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds against Hong Kong Eastern, 94-72, during their Chinese New Year duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We thought that we were finished. But the whole team refused to give up,” said Bolick in Filipino, after being one of the heroes of the victory that assured NLEX of getting to fight another day.
The Road Warriors concluded the elimination round with a 6-6 record, assuring themselves of playing at least one game. It was a victory that had consequences for the rest of the field, as it knocked the defending champions San Miguel Beermen out of the playoff race.
However, head coach Jong Uichico stated that he had no intention of eliminating San Miguel and instead remained focused on providing NLEX a chance to advance to the next round, which appeared unlikely given that the Road Warriors had previously suffered five straight losses.
“I’ll always be glad to have a chance to get to the next round. How we get there, come what may,” said Uichico, who has won nine PBA championships as a head coach, including six with the Beermen.
“Two weeks ago, we were on the brink of elimination, but now, we have a chance. So we’ll take this.”
Import Mike Watkins top scored for the Road Warriors, firing a conference-high 41 markers on top of 14 rebounds and two blocks.
Rookies Jonnel Policarpio and Javee Mocon added nine points apiece in the win.
Based on the outcome of the games of Rain or Shine (6-5) and Magnolia (5-6) on Friday, January 31, at the PhilSports Arena, the Road Warriors can finish as high as seventh and earn a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Scores:
NLEX 94 – Watkins 41, Bolick 21, Mocon 9, Policarpio 9, Herndon 6, Torres 5, Ramirez 3, Alas 0, Semerad 0.
EASTERN 76 – McLaughlin 18, Blankley 14, Yang 12, Lam 11, Cao 5, Cheung 5, Chan 4, Guinchard 3, Pok 2, Leung 2.
Quarter Scores: 18-23, 43-42, 65-57, 94-76.
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