Robert Bolick made scoring 46 points look so easy as he rewrote his career high in NLEX's win over Converge in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 9.
Robert Bolick admitted he was gunning for a career-high in scoring in NLEX’s 115-93 routing of Converge in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 9.
With just a second to go, Bolick still uncorked a triple to finish with 46 points on a 65 percent shooting.
This output reset his previous record of 44 points he made while playing for NorthPort in a 101-95 overtime win over Meralco in the Commissioner’s Cup last season.
“Noong game, hindi naman. Noong bandang dulo lang,” said Bolick with a smile when asked whether he was chasing the milestone.
Road Warriors coach Frankie Lim, meanwhile, was not aware of the impending feat. He simply wanted his prized guard to contribute on offense.
“I just wanted him to score. 'Yun lang. Kailangan naming lumayo, eh,” said the veteran mentor.
“Sabi ko nga noong halftime, hindi natin puwedeng padikitin ang Converge. Delikado, lalo sa dulo.”
NLEX was holding a slim two-point lead, 54-52, at the break before shaking things up in the second half to run away with the victory.
The FiberXers struggled to keep in step with Bolick and the rest of the Road Warriors at the resumption.
NLEX widened the gap to 84-71 at the end of the third quarter.
And even with the Road Warriors opening the final period with Bolick riding the bench in the first six minutes of action, Robbie Herndon turned it up for the squad and finished with 17 points built on five triples.
That is why at the end of the day, Bolick said it was NLEX's collective effort that allowed it to clinch its third win in four games.
The Road Warriors currently sit at the third spot behind surprise leader Blackwater (3-0) and Ginebra (1-0).
“Ganda ng laro ni Robbie, ni Baser. Lahat ng pinasok ni coach, lahat nag-step up. Collectively, ang ganda ng nilalaro namin. Sana magtuluy-tuloy,” Bolick said.
Despite his offensive explosion, Bolick involved his teammates as he dished out eight assists.
Jhan Nermal and Baser Amer likewise scored in twin digits for NLEX with their 13 and 10 points, respectively, while eight more contributed at least two points.
Lim also noted the importance of playing unselfish basketball, but added that when push comes to shove, the Road Warriors know who they could turn to.
“It’s just being unselfish. We just have to move the ball really well so everyone gets touches. But when we’re going down to the last 10, eight seconds, we go to Robert,” he said.