Bolick takes over vs. former team as NLEX sinks NorthPort in OT

Against his former team, Robert Bolick took charge as he steered NLEX to a 107-100 overtime win against NorthPort to open their PBA Philippine Cup campaign on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bolick, who was traded to the Road Warriors from the Batang Pier last conference, starred with 31 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block for a 1-0 start while NorthPort sank to 0-1. This is NLEX' highest output from a local since Kevin Alas' 31 points against Converge in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.  

Bolick split his free throws to break a 93-all deadlock before Enoch Valdez stole the leather then issued a pass to Anthony Semerad, who would bury a corner triple to give NLEX a 97-93 lead with 31.6 seconds left.

Arvin Tolentino responded with a triple of his own to cut the deficit to just one, 96-97, before his floater tied things up anew at 98-all in the final. 7.1 seconds.

Bolick, though, missed out on a potential game-winner as the game went into overtime.

The former San Beda standout then made up for it with a pair of freebies before Dave Marcelo secured an and-one play for a 104-100 cushion for the Road Warriors with 50 seconds left in the extra period.

Semerad would still complete a layup before Bolick's split from the stripe sealed the win for NLEX. 

Rookie Enoch Valdez churned out 16 points alongside nine rebounds, three steals, and one assist while Sean Anthony and Semerad each poured in 15 markers to help the Frankie Lim-helmed squad. 

Tolentino paced NorthPort, coming back from a knee injury late last conference with a team-high 29 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and two assists while Allyn Bulanadi chimed in with 19 markers. 

The loss spoiled the PBA debut of Zavier Lucero and the return of Will Navarro. Lucero put together 13 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks while Navarro finished with a double-double of 12 markers and 13 boards. 

Scores:

NLEX 107 – Bolick 31, Valdez 16, Anthony 15, Semerad 15, Pascual 9, Ular 6, Nieto 5, Marcelo 4, Miranda 3, Amer 2, Nermal 0.

NorthPort 100 – Tolentino 29, Bulanadi 19, Lucero 13, Navarro 12, Munzon 8, Zamar 6, Calma 4, Flores 4, Rosales 2, Chan 2, Paraiso 1, Cuntapay 0, Yu 0.

Quarters: 29-25, 55-50, 74-72, 98-98, 107-100.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News