Bolick matches career-high as NorthPort pips NLEX

Robert Bolick matched his career-high to lead the Batang Pier. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--On the eve of his birthday, Robert Bolick went on a career night.

Bolick dropped 26 points to lead NorthPort to its third straight win, a 96-94 grind against NLEX on Sunday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Bolick in the process matched his career-high which he first did in no less than his PBA debut on Jan. 16, 2019, against Blackwater.

However, the Batang Pier had to escape a late push from the Road Warriors for their third straight win that put them at sixth place at 4-3.

With his team trailing by 14 points, 79-93, with 3:53 remaining, Don Trollano dropped three straight treys to lead a 12-2 run that cut NLEX's deficit to just four, 91-95, with 53 seconds left,

Kevin Ferrer stepped up for NorthPort defensively with two huge blocks, one off Anthony Semerad's layup and another off another three-point attempt from Trollano.

Jamie Malonzo then joined the block party by swatting away fellow rookie Calvin Oftana's putback off a Kevin Alas missed triple, leading to a split from Paolo Taha that eventually iced the game.

Alas made a buzzer-beating triple for the final tally.

Bolick went 10-for-20 from the field even as he also tallied three rebounds, five assists, and two steals as he spearheaded the Batang Pier's early dominance.

Taha and Sean Anthony each added 14 points even as Jamie Malonzo posted a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds with five assists, one steal, and two blocks.

Trollano finished with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting from threes, six rebounds, one assist, and one block for the Road Warriors, who dropped to a tie with the Phoenix Fuel Masters for seventh place at 4-5.

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