ANTIPOLO – Robert Bolick did what he does best for NLEX on Tuesday – scoring in the clutch – when he made a four-point shot late in regulation that led to the Road Warriors' gutsy overtime win against TNT in their PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup game.
Bolick, however, admitted it was difficult to celebrate after a horrific injury to import DeQuan Jones that will now have him out for the rest of the conference.
Jones was feared to have suffered a complete fracture in his right leg when he lost his balance while taking a shot at the 7:27 mark of the third quarter.
The absence of Jones became a rallying point for NLEX in its 118-111 comeback, with the Road Warriors forcing overtime after Bolick connected on a difficult four-point shot over Rey Nambatac in front of the Tropang 5G bench.
READ: NLEX survives horrific Dequan Jones injury, outlasts TNT in OT
Bolick, however, felt mixed emotions about the win since he was also near Jones when the unfortunate incident occurred.
“Parang ang hirap mag-celebrate na ang hirap makahanap ng import na hindi lang magaling, pero mabait,” he said.
“Hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung four points,” he also said. “Mahirap mag-celebrate eh kasi ‘yun ang nakatatak sa utak ko kasi ako ‘yung unang nakakita eh.”
Jones has been a key reason why NLEX is on top of Group A with a 7-1 record, with averages of 28.4 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Prayers up for Daequan
But more than his talent, Bolick said the attitude of Jones stands out.
“Para siyang Justin Brownlee sa team namin eh,” he said. “Sobrang bait. Aga sa practice. Bihirang-bihira lang makakuha nang ganung import. Parang nakakapanghinayang lang. Bakit siya pa? Naaawa ako sa kanya kasi importante siya sa team."
“Kaya nga kami 7-1 eh. Siyempre coach Jimmy [Alapag] ‘yan, pero malaking part nun siya eh. Paano kami binibigyan ng kumpiyansa, paano niya kami kinakausap araw-araw. Mabait, walang toyo, bihira ‘yun eh."
Jones is actually in his second stint with the Road Warriors, having also played in the 2024 Govs’ Cup, giving him steady rapport with the team.
“Prayers up sa kanya. Brother namin ‘yun. Pamilya kami,” Bolick said.
Nevertheless, Bolick remains happy with the Road Warriors' gritty victory vs. TNT, sweeping their elimination round series against them in a follow-up to their 88-83 win just last week.
“Siyempre, masaya rin at the same time. Kahit wala kaming import, lumaban pa rin kami. Ilang beses kami tinatalo ng team na ‘to, lalo sa playoffs. Masaya ako na wala kaming import, rookie, kahit sino pumasok, talagang nagpakamatay sa loob ng court," he said.
‘Yun lang ‘yung gusto namin.”
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