PBA: Will Robert Bolick suit up for NLEX vs Terrafirma this Sunday?

Robert Bolick was noticeably missing in NLEX's first game against San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The Road Warriors star sat out the match as he was mourning the death of his father.

NLEX is thus giving him his much-needed time to grieve, according to Uichico, before seeing action for the team this season.

“I think, next week pa,” said Uichico.

The Road Warriors will next take on Terrafirma (0-1) at the Ynares Antipolo Sunday, Oct. 12, with Bolick probably suiting up for the team in their next match against Phoenix (0-1) on Oct. 22.

[RELATED STORY: PBA: Jonnel Policarpio, NLEX dedicate stunner over SMB to teammate Robert Bolick]

Bolick was actually supposed to play in NLEX's opener, but eventually decided against it to make sure he was in the right headspace.

“Maski maglaro siya [last Wednesday], medyo hindi naman siya nasa [tamang mindset],” said Uichico.

[ALSO READ: NLEX's Robert Bolick is PBA Season 48 Scoring Champion]

Without last season’s Most Valuable Player contender, the Road Warriors turned to Brandon Ramirez, Kevin Alas, Jonnel Policarpio and JB Bahio to scrape past the Beermen.

Ramirez and Policarpio each produced 16 points, Alas scored 13 while Bahio came up with a double-double outing of 12 points and 12 rebounds.

“It was a collective effort ng lahat in the absence of Berto,” said Uichico.

Right now, NLEX is letting its star guard take as much time as he needs to grieve and recover from his dad’s untimely passing.

“I think we’ll give him some time to [grieve]. Close siya sa father niya, so we should give him as much time as we can. So when he comes back, tama na 'yong mindset niya,” said the many-time champion mentor.

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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.