Robert Bolick hit back-to-back triples in crunch time and the NLEX Road Warriors ran away with their third straight win against the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, March 13.
Robert Bolick hit the dagger as NLEX turned back erstwhile unbeaten leader Blackwater, 103-97, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, March 13.
Relatively silent on offense earlier, Bolick made his presence felt in the final 47 seconds, hitting two triples including the one in the face of defender Richard Escoto in a thrilling windup to the match that handed the Bossing their first loss after a hot 3-0 start.
Despite Blackwater smothering him with defense, Bolick still finished with 21 points on a 4-for-9 shooting in a little more than 39 minutes of play to follow up on his 46-point career-high explosion against struggling Converge the last time out.
He also had nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals to lift the Road Warriors to the second spot after racking up their third straight win for a 4-1 card.
The Bossing slid to joint third with NorthPort after enjoying a brief surprise stay at the summit.
“That small ball has spelled wonders for us,” said NLEX assistant coach Borgie Hermida. “Aside from that, sabi nga ni coach Frankie (Lim), buti na lang, may Bolick kami.”
"What's good about Robert is he produces a lot of scores, kung makikita ninyo 30 to 40 (points) but if you will take a look at the assists, department, magaling din pumasa si Bolick. Ninety percent of the time ang bola namin, kay Berto. Ninety percent of the time, good decisions ang ginagawa ni Berto," added Hermida.
With Bolick held in check by the Bossing for most of the match, other Road Warriors stepped up.
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Baser Amer (12 points) and Robbie Herndon (14) delivered in the third then Dominic Fajardo (14), Richie Rodger (nine) and Jhan Nermal (16) picked up the cudgels for Bolick in the fourth as both teams kept the contest close.
Robert Bolick produces an all-around effort for NLEX in its win against Blackwater. Photo (c) PBA
With Rey Suerte splitting his freebies for the Bossing to draw level at 92-all heading to the final two minutes of the match, Rodger regained the upperhand for NLEX on a floater.
Suerte ran out of luck on his return trip to the line as he blanked his charities five seconds later which set up the stage for Anthony Semerad’s booming triple that gave the Road Warriors a more comfortable 97-92 cushion with 1:20 to play.
With Blackwater eager to preserve its unbeaten run, Jaydee Tungcab quickly retaliated for the Bossing to inch within three, 94-97, eleven ticks later.
But Bolick came through when it mattered most, swishing a pair of timely triples in a crucial 17-second span that ensured NLEX's victory.
Suerte paced Blackwater with 21 points including a triple of his own at the 43.2 mark as he tried to will his squad at endgame. Troy Rosario and Rey Nambatac chipped in 16 points each.
The Scores:
NLEX 103 – Bolick 21, Nermal 16, Herndon 14, Fajardo 14, Amer 12, Semerad 11, Rodger 9, Marcelo 4, Valdez 2, Miranda 0, Pascual 0.
BLACKWATER 97 – Suerte 21, Rosario 16, Nambatac 16, Tungcab 15, Guinto 12, Ilagan 8, David 4, Yap 3, Escoto 2, Sena 0, Hill 0, Kwekuteye 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 22-26, 50-51, 71-72, 103-97