Robert Bolick praised Dominick Fajardo, saying that it was the 30-year-old rookie's contribution that ensured the win for the NLEX Road Warriors against the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, March 13.
In everyone’s eyes, Robert Bolick was the savior for NLEX on Wednesday night.
Bolick hit a clutch pair of triples down the stretch as the Road Warriors scraped past Blackwater, 103-97, for their third straight win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
The 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup MVP begged to differ.
Though he made the game-sealing shots and finished with 21 points in the process, the former San Beda guard deflected credit to NLEX's unsung hero, Dominick Fajardo.
"Tingin mo [dahil] sa akin, pero talaga, 'yung nagpanalo sa amin, si Dominick (Fajardo). Ganda ng laro ni Dom, grabe. Fourteen points," said Bolick post-match.
As the Road Warriors relied on small ball in their past few games, the 6-foot-1 Fajardo was allowed to shine.
Wednesday’s match was no exception.
Fajardo finished with 14 points, including four in the fourth period to help NLEX keep step with the Bossing.
But there is more to the 30-year-old rookie's game than scoring – he also tallied four rebounds, three assists and a steal in almost 32 minutes of play.
"Ang ganda ng ginagawa niya (Fajardo) sa amin, grabe. So siya 'yung nagpapanalo talaga itong laro na 'to, 'yung contribution niya," said Bolick.
But Bolick was also quick to add that the win was a result of the Road Warriors' team effort.
NLEX chalked up its third straight win and fourth overall against a solitary loss, putting the squad at solo second behind new leader Ginebra (2-0) heading to their lengthy 23-day break.
"Si Richie (Rodger), din ang ganda ng laro. Talagang total team effort, eh. Si Jhan (Nermal) [also played well]. Ang sarap sa feleing na lahat kami nagku-contribute para manalo," said Bolick.
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Jhan Nermal contributed 16 points and seven rebounds while Richie Rodger had nine, including four in the final six minutes.
Robbie Herndon and Baser Amer chipped in 14 and 12 markers, respectively, for NLEX.
Apart from employing his leech-like defense, Anthony Semerad logged his biggest contribution on the offensive end down the stretch as he fired a crucial three-pointer on his way to 11 points.
"Masaya talaga ako sa teammates ko. Grabe ang contribution nila. Thank you sa lahat ng nag-step up sa team namin. Team effort talaga," said Bolick.