NLEX had to rely on its small-ball offense to make up for the loss of main big man Matt Ganuelas-Rosser in outlasting NorthPort, 107-100, in overtime in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ace playmaker and top scorer Robert Bolick presided on the team’s offense as he finished with 31 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, to lead the way for the Road Warriors, who are aching to make a good impression after another early exit last conference under the tutelage of coach Frankie Lim.
Under Lim, the Road Warriors had been eliminated early twice in three conferences as head coach and the veteran mentor is hoping to have find the right formula for his team in the Philippine Cup.
“We’re playing small ball,” said Lim. “It’s very hard. Our efforts, from (Dave) Marcelo, from Sean Anthony, to Tony Semerad and from Enoch (Valdez) in making a lot of sacrifices in this game.”
The Road Warriors had to unload Ganuelas-Rosser, who became the centerpiece of a three-team trade involving TNT and Blackwater, but in return got the services of hardworking Ato Ular and center Yousef Taha.
But with Bolick at the firing lane, there seems to be no problem for the Road Warriors as the Lion King from San Beda scored 11 of his total output in the fourth period.
Bolick, however, was far from satisfied.
“Ang sama nga ng laro ko. Halos hind na ako naka-shoot nung fourth and overtime kung hindi puro free throws,” he added.
The 5-foot-11 guard shot 13 times and made 10 of them.
But Bolick is ready to embrace this role for the Road Warriors, a role which he’s been doing the past few years for NorthPort.
The victory against his former team added some special feelings to the former scoring champion.
“Nakikita ko yung teammates ko dati, siyempre leader rin ako doon dati,” added Bolick. “Kapag nakikita ko sila, kamustahan lang, siyempre napamahal rin sila sa akin.”
But there was no love lost for Bolick once he stepped inside the basketball court as his main vision is to lead his team to victory.
A promising start for the Road Warriors and Bolick, Lim and the rest of the Road Warriors are hoping this small-ball system could drive them going the extra mile.
“Masaya ako sa mga teammates ko, sina Tony, kasi binigay nila talaga yung puso nila. Ang laki na ng NorthPort ngayon.”
