Robert Bolick knows this feeling all too well.
The NLEX Road Warriors start off strong and show much promise in the eliminations. They zoom to the top of the standings and nail a high seed. Then they unravel come playoff time and crash out in the quarterfinals.
Berto has been part of that cycle. In fact, it happened in the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Now, in the Governors’ Cup, NLEX’s main man is looking to change the narrative. And that, according to Bolick himself, will only happen with a shift in mindset.
Bolick Wants NLEX in Playoff Mode
On Wednesday, in NLEX’s 147-115 drubbing of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, that mindset was tested in a tight first half, where the Road Warriors seemed lethargic and simply going through the motions. The result? The Giant Risers built as much as a 13-point lead, 39-26, early in the second quarter and wound up tied with NLEX at 65 going into intermission.
That kind of approach isn’t cutting it, according to Bolick.
“Sabi nga ni Coach [Jimmy Alapag], kahit ako, sinabi ko rin sa team, wala pa kami napatunayan,” Bolick stressed postgame. “So, bakit ba magre-relax kami kung Titan lang ‘yung kalaban? Hindi pa naman kami nag-semis, hindi pa naman kami nag-final. So, dapat every game, pina-practice namin na parang playoff game… Every game dapat kailangan nasa playoff mode na kami.”
NLEX ultimately flipped the switch in the second half, breaking the game open with a 37-14 third quarter that saw the Road Warriors clamp down on defense and execute almost flawlessly on offense. Berto himself had a big hand in the win, tallying 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Past Heartbreaks Fueling Berto
It was a second-half turnaround, all right. But Bolick isn’t satisfied. He wants a championship-level mindset for his Road Warriors.
“Wala pa kami napatunayan,” he repeated. “Ilang beses na kami na gantong situation, lagi kami nalalaglag pagdating ng playoff… So, dapat every game, mindset namin is to win kahit sino pa ‘yung kalaban.”
NLEX’s early exits are clearly at the back of Bolick’s mind—as they should. For all of the promise the Road Warriors have shown recently, the only thing they can show for are a few quarterfinals losses. Little wonder Berto kept emphasizing those heartbreaks.
“Every game is a playoff game for us, and sana alisin namin ‘yung mentality na parang meron na kami napuntahan,” he further said. “Wala pa kami napuntahan. Ilang beses na kami naging gantong situation, lagi kami nalalaglag. So, dapat pine-personal namin every game na to the next level. Every game, ‘yung mga gantong game, dapat naka-mindset ka kasi pagdating ng playoffs, sabi nga ni coach, malalakas na kalaban doon…”
NLEX and Bolick won’t have to look far. Their final game in the elimination is against many-time champs San Miguel Beermen. That mindset Berto is talking about will be tested for sure.
