Robert Bolick could not forget the sting brought about by NLEX’s elimination in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals and made sure to get a measure of revenge against ROS.
NLEX waited nearly five months for this particular victory against Rain or Shine on Saturday, November 8.
The Road Warriors got a measure of revenge on the Elasto Painters after running away with a 105-91 win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Since the Elasto Painters gave them the boot them in the quarterfinals last season, Robert Bolick admitted feeling a little vengeful coming into the match in the All-Filipino.
“Bumawi lang kami ngayon. Syempre ito yung team na naglaglag samin, tinanggal kami sa quarters last conference. Dagdag lang na ano [motivation],” said Bolick, who wound up with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal as NLEX improved to 5-2 for a joint second place with Rain or Shine.
[Related: PBA: Robert Bolick, NLEX hurdle Rain or Shine to hop back on win lane]
Everything simply clicked for the Road Warriors beginning in the third period, where they outgunned Rain or Shine, 31-16.
There, NLEX erected a 20-point lead, 83-63, entering the final frame and led by as many as 22 points before cruising to the much-needed victory.
The Road Warriors also exploited Rain or Shine’s thin frontcourt after Keith Datu was ruled out for the season with a knee injury, and Caelan Tiongson still reeling from his own injury woes.
[Related: Keith Datu expected to be out for Rain or Shine in rest of PBA 50]
That’s why JB Bahio had a free rein down low, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. Xyrus Torres also fired 15 points built on three treys.
“Tinake advantage namin, medyo pilay rin sila. Tinake advantage lang namin situation,” said Bolick, whose team outscored Rain or Shine in the paint, 56-34.
But Bolick was also quick to say the loss in last conference’s playoffs — where Rain or Shine erased a twice-to-beat disadvantage — wasn’t the sole reason the Road Warriors came out locked in.
Bolick said the Road Warriors were also desperate to bounce back from an embarrassing 74-104 loss to Ginebra last Sunday, Nov. 2, at the same venue.
“Nung game na yun sa Ginebra, mas desperado kalaban namin. Naunahan kami. Di na kami nakabawi,” said Bolick.
Now with their acts together, the Road Warriors doused Rain or Shine’s red-hot four-game winning run.
Not even a 26-point, eight-rebound, and six-assist game from Jhonard Clarito could salvage the Elasto Painters from the jaws of defeat.
Gabe Norwood and Adrian Nocum added 12 points apiece for Rain or Shine.
NLEX vs Rain or Sine Scores:
NLEX 105 – Bolick 28, Bahio 17, Torres 15, Policarpio 10, Fajardo 10, Mocon 6, Rodger 6, Herndon 6, Alas 3, Nieto 2, Capulong 2, Ramirez 0
RAIN OR SHINE 91 – Clarito 26, Norwood 12, Nocum 12, Santillan 10, Asistio 9, Ildefonso 9, Malonzo 7, Mamuyac 6, Belga 0, Caracut 0, Lemetti 0
Quarterscores: 26-28, 52-47, 83-63, 105-91
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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.