NLEX head coach Jong Uichico doesn’t mind fans and reporters calling his star guard Robert Bolick “HaliBerto.” In fact, he agrees — for the reason because of his ability to balance scoring and playmaking and not just for his clutch gene.
Call him “Haliberto” if you must — just don’t think it’s only about the big shots.
For NLEX head coach Jong Uichico, Robert Bolick’s latest nickname --- a nod to Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton --- isn’t rooted solely in his clutch genes.
It’s about the rhythm, the feel, and the seamless balance act of knowing when to score and when to involve his teammates.
“Siguro nga [on people calling Bolick as ‘Haliberto’] kasi he makes the big shots,” Uichico spoke on the comparisons between his superstar and Haliburton’s style of play.
“Pero ‘yung pinaka-importante, alam niya ‘yung role niya. He doesn’t have to score from the start. He stays consistent and gives confidence to his teammates,” the nine-time PBA champion coach continued.
That feeling for the moment — when to take over, when to defer — was on full display in NLEX’s 107–99 comeback win over the Magnolia Hosthots last week.
Bolick dropped 25 points, grabbed nine boards, and handed out five assists as the Road Warriors erased a 19-point deficit to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
For his effort, the 29-year-old ace was named PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the second time this season, joining a short list of multi-time winners in this conference.
[ALSO READ: Robert Bolick is PBA Player of the Week as NLEX takes 2x-to-beat advantage]
“He’s [Bolick] our pillar. Siya ang lider namin and everybody feeds off Berto. And Bolick, on the other hand, is giving everyone the confidence na magsupport sa kaniya," Uichico bared.
Confidence was contagious in that win as Xyrus Torres and Brandon Ramirez chipped in 40 combined points with eight threes, while the rest of the Road Warriors responded to Bolick’s calm orchestration.
“Pag hindi siya cinover, siya ‘yung mag-HaliBerto. Pero pag kinober siya, he knows may kumpiyansa siya sa mga kasama niya,” Uichico said.
At 8–2, NLEX wraps up its elimination round campaign tomorrow, June 11, against the also-ran NorthPort Batang Pier at Ninoy Aquino Stadium at 5:00 p.m.
Though the Road Warriors have already locked in a top-four seed, Uichico isn’t letting off the gas.
“We have to remain sharp,” he said. “We don’t know kung sino yung kalaban sa quarterfinals, pero we know we’re still a very tough team.”
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad)