Robert Bolick took a backseat of sorts in the NLEX Road Warriors’ 110-96 rout of the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, extending their unbeaten run in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
That is, if compiling 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists qualifies as taking a backseat. In this game, Bolick was content setting up his teammates and letting them shine, with import DeQuan Jones leading the way with a team-high 27 points. Schonny Winston added 24, Tony Semerad chipped in 15, Robbie Herndon had 13, and several others contributed as well.
Robert Bolick, the Facilitator
Berto dishing out dimes shouldn’t come as a surprise. He has always been a willing passer, and now, as he pointed out after the San Miguel victory, he can embrace more of a facilitator’s role because of the depth in NLEX.
“’Yun nga ang lagi kong sinasabi, ang [team] namin [is] deep. Mayroon na kaming mga players na kayang mag-contribute sa scoring,” Bolick explained. “Para sa akin, kung hindi sila mainit at kailangan kong umi-score ta-trabahuhin ko, pero kung mainit mga kasama ko kagaya ngayon, hanap ako ng paraan para malibre sila.”
True enough, four Road Warriors—Bolick, Winston, Jones, and Kevin Alas—are averaging in double figures. Five others, meanwhile, are chipping in at least 5.0 points per game in this unbeaten start. Bolick himself is putting up 16.0 points a game to go with 6.5 rebounds and a team-high 7.8 assists.
Paying No Mind to Statistics
What’s more, Bolick isn’t paying any mind to his numbers, brushing aside his near triple-double in the win over the Beermen.
“Okay lang, walang problema basta ang importante panalo kami,” he said when informed of his stats.
NLEX has been winning for sure, and Bolick’s all-around playmaking has been a huge reason the team is unbeaten and looking poised for a breakthrough. Now, they will turn their focus to the Converge FiberXers on August 1 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
