PATTAYA, Thailand – Robert Bolick is playing once again for Gilas Pilipinas at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games - four years since his last stint with the national team.
The NLEX guard was called up to a SEA Games team that was besieged with problems in forming a 12-man lineup. He accepted the offer even though it would mean missing crucial games with the Road Warriors in the PBA.
Bolick has already missed Saturday’s PBA Philippine Cup contest against TNT which the Road Warriors lost. NLEX is also going up against Converge on Wednesday in its final game of the eliminations, which its star will also sit out.
READ Bolick's clutch threes help Gilas shake off fighting Vietnam side
Already, NLEX has lost two in a row heading into the last match of the elims, fading in the race for a Top 4 spot and twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. The Road Warriors now have a 6-4 win-loss record after being in first place for the most part.
While it was mixed emotions leaving his club behind, Bolick said it’s always an honor to play for Gilas and the opportunity was too hard to pass up.
“Siyempre, nakakapanghinayang kasi kailangan ng twice-to-beat [ng NLEX] pero siyempre may opportunity rin ako para sa bayan which is nung tinanong ako ni coach Norman [Black] at tinanong ko si Boss Ronald (Dulatre), mahirap din i-pass out ‘yung opportunity na makabalik uli sa Gilas kumbaga, kahit SEA Games man lang,” said Bolick.
Bolick had two notable stints with Gilas that includes the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, but the latest came in 2021 during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers where he played two games in a home-and-home series against New Zealand.
“Thankful ako kay Boss Ronald at coach Jong na pinayagan nila ako which is kasi nga sa circumstances ni coach Norman, nahirapan talaga siya kasi ang daming na-red flag," said the former San Beda star.
"‘Yun lang, happy lang din ako na nabigyan din ako ng opportunity ni Coach Norman, tinanong ako kung gusto ko ba maglaro sa kanya. Mixed emotions pero siyempre, tiwala naman ako sa mga teammates ko,” said Bolick.
On Monday, Bolick starred in Gilas’ 78-67 win over Vietnam, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to help the national team sweep the eliminations, and his performance spoke volumes of his desire to win the title.
“SEA Games ito. Gold ang tinitignan namin. Walang iba,” said Bolick after the game.
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