ROBERT Bolick's absence truly brought a large dark cloud over NorthPort that it almost became a virtual two-man team against Alaska on Sunday.
And for sure, Nico Elorde was dissatisfied, not just with the outcome as the Batang Pier suffered a 106-99 defeat to the Aces, but also on how their offense got skewed.
"Ang kulang talaga namin is ball movement. Namamatay agad yung bola, tapos tira kami kaagad," he said Sunday after filling the starting point guard role in lieu of Bolick, who tore the ACL on his right knee.
"Kulang talaga sa ball movement. Dapat everybody involved."
Though NorthPort was able to dish out 24 assists in the game, most of those touches were only directed at either import Michael Qualls or Christian Standhardinger.
It's no surprise that majority of the Batang Pier's production came from the two, with Standhardinger posting a career-best 37 points while Qualls churning 35.
That, however, shouldn't be the case if NorthPort wants to succeed, and Elorde is hard on himself for letting that happen.
"Sa akin yung responsibility na yun," he admitted after dishing out seven assists, to go with his solitary point and three rebounds in the defeat.
"Kaya nga down ako kasi parang ang pangit ng feeling na sila lang. As a point guard, dapat ma-figure out ko right away yun, na during the game alam mo na. Pero hindi naman lahat makukuha mo ng mabilis."
"Siguro next game, mas maganda ang itatakbo namin. Positive pa rin tayo. Ilang games pa kami, so kaya pa yan."
The Batang Pier are precariously hanging on to the eighth spot with their 3-5 card.
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