COLUMN: As one star fades, another one rises for NLEX

CHICAGO— No.1 seed. Twice-to-beat advantage.

Didn’t matter.

NLEX lost twice to TNT, and the second one on Friday night, a lopsided 118-112 beating, eliminated the Road Warriors from the Season 50 PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs

And just like Wednesday’s 96-93 debacle, Robert Bolick was a harmless participant in TNT’s march toward the semifinals.

Bolick finished with 16 points including a meaningless 4 as time expired. He went 4-of-9 from the field and belted six assists with three turnovers.

UNDERWHELMING.

That’s the stat line of a solid rotation player, but not of a decorated All-Star.

Bolick is a great point guard, gifted with exceptional court vision and incredible shot-making skills.

But to win the big one in the big moments, he needs to want it more.

Taking just nine shots with his team’s playoff life on the line won’t cut it. And that’s why the Road Warriors are out.

Just like that, a 10-2 elimination round record is rendered worthless as the franchise continues to settle with cheap trinkets instead of a championship ring.

A BRIGHTER STAR.

Meanwhile, the Tropang 5G, the defending champs by the way, had so many stars rise to the occasion.

Roger Pogoy had 21. Calvin Oftana added 20. Jayson Castro chipped in 14.

Schonny Winston was a dog for NLEX with 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting plus 5 rebounds, 2 assists and only 1 turnover.

Now, that’s a stud the Road Warriors can rally behind moving forward.

And so here’s how NLEX’s pitifully short playoffs campaign ended.

As one star dipped, another one was born.