MANILA – Robert Bolick Jr. displayed an efficient game as NLEX Road Warriors cruised to a 104-85 rout over Terrafirma Dyip in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The former San Beda University Red Lions star finished with 32 points, on 11-of-14 field goal shooting, to go with five assists and four rebounds as the Road Warriors improved to a 2-1 win-loss slate.
“Siyempre masaya (ako sa overall performance namin) dahil nag-contribute ‘yung mga locals and ‘yung import namin nag-dominate sa loob,” Bolick said in a post-game interview.
“Masaya din ako sa output ko kasi konti lang ‘yung binato ko pero efficient,” he added. “’Yun naman talaga ‘yung gusto ko mangyari sa game ko eh, ‘yung konti lang ‘yung ibinabato ko, pero efficient, kumbaga pick the right spots talaga.”
Michael Griffin-Watkins contributed a double-double of 26 points and 30 rebounds, while rookie Xyrus Torres and Anthony Semerad chipped in 15 and 13 markers, respectively, for NLEX.
Despite the victory, Road Warriors head coach Joseph Uichico expressed disappointment after failing to protect their early 20-point lead, as they allowed the Dyip to cut the deficit to as low as seven points at 81-88 in the fourth quarter.
“Why do they have to weather the storm? We were up by 20 points but why do we have put ourselves in that situation? We gave up 55 points (to the Dyip) in the second half but good thing they weathered the storm,” Uichico said.
“We will be doing a lot in our next practices because our next games will be against San Miguel (Beermen) and (Barangay) Ginebra (San Miguel Kings), we were able get away with those mistakes but we could not get away with in our next games,” he added.
Vic Manuel tallied 22 points, with 18 coming in the third quarter, while Aljun Melecio and Kevin Ferrer contributed 10 markers apiece as the Dyip remained winless in three matches./PN
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 104 – Bolick 32, Watkins 26, Torres 15, Semerad 13, Rodger 7, Herndon 3, Bahio 2, Fajardo 2, Valdez 2, Alas 2, Mocon 0, Amer 0, Marcelo 0.
TERRAFIRMA 85 – Manuel 22, Melecio 10, Ferrer 10, Pringle 9, Zaldivar 7, Nonoy 6, Richards 6, Sangalang 5, Olivario 3, Catapusan 3, Hernandez 2, Paraiso 2, Ramos 0, Hanapi 0.
Quarterscores: 27-11, 51-30, 75-62, 104-85.
