NLEX Road Warriors’ Robert Bolick in the PBA Governors’ Cup game against Blackwater. –PBA IMAGES
Robert Bolick maximized the four-point shot even as he struggled to hit it en route to an all-around performance that propelled NLEX to an auspicious start in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“I used [the shot] to create opportunities for my teammates,” said Bolick, who came within a rebound of a triple-double in the Road Warriors’ 104-87 victory on Thursday over the Blackwater Bossing at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bolick had 24 points that went with 11 assists, a lot of which came as defenders were wary of his ability to knock down shots from behind the new shooting arc in the league. Bolick made just one of four shots from 27 feet out, but the first half saw him use his threat from there to easily penetrate and either convert baskets for himself or create open shots for his teammates.
Bolick and Myke Henry, who showed he could also hit from that distance, gave NLEX high hopes this conference.
Share of early lead
Henry worked well with Bolick in terms of scoring chances and got 31 points that gave the Road Warriors a share of the early lead in Group B with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the San Miguel Beermen, who prevailed, 111-107, over the Phoenix Fuel Masters the other night.
“This conference, I have a different role with an import around, and he’s our main man,” added Bolick, who also had nine boards.
While NLEX is happy with Henry, Blackwater obviously has a different take on its import, Ricky Ledo, who could only produce six points after missing 13 of his 15 attempts, including seven of eight from three and all two from four.
Blackwater dropped to 0-2 in its group, a dismal start NorthPort and Terrafirma will look to avoid when they meet in Friday’s 5 p.m. opener at the same venue.
NorthPort is looking to atone for its 101-95 loss to TNT on Tuesday with a returning import in Venky Jois, who was tapped despite an impressive showing from Taylor Johns in that contest.
Johns had 36 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists against the Tropang Giga, but the Batang Pier are set to reunite with the Australian-born Jois, who played in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
Jois averaged 23.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.3 blocks in 11 games in that conference despite being the shortest import at 6-foot-4, six inches under the height limit.Terrafirma will be looking to get itself back on its feet after dropping a 127-95 decision to Converge two days prior, which spoiled the debuts of Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.
Both teams are in Group A, joining Converge and Magnolia, teams that will collide in the 7:30 p.m. nightcap.
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A victory will put the FiberXers, the worst team of the 2023-24 season, in an unlikely position to be in the early lead with the Meralco Bolts or the Tropang Giga, who were playing at press time. INQ
