Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

Not many saw Robert Bolick making the final 12 roster of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

But due to circumstances beyond the national team’s control, like injuries to two of the country’s finest sharpshooters in Marcio Lassiter and Matthew Wright, Bolick was given passage to the final line-up.

“Ako, as I’ve said, volunteer lang kami ni CJ dito e, kasi kulang lang yung mga kuya namin. Pero blessing in disguise na ganito nangyari sa amin,” Bolick said.

Bolick knows there will still be doubts regarding the NorthPort Batang Pier guard’s inclusion, given that he seems inexperienced compared to the rest of the nationals.

But the fearless combo guard is out to prove doubters wrong.

Mas masarap yun. Mas okay yun, mas maraming mag-doubt, mas masarap maglaro,” Bolick said. “Ganoon naman palagi ang mentality.”

He added that we wants to repay head coach Yeng Guiao’s trust for having not just him but also fellow rookie CJ Perez included in the World Cup roster where he will be making his debut.

“For me, personally, gusto ko lang pakita na worthy kami ni CJ dito lalo na’t nagdesisyon si Coach Yeng. Gusto namin pakita na andito kami, bibigay namin ang best para sa’yo at sa bansa na tama ang desisyon,” he said.

Bolick went on a tear in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup where he led the Batang Pier to a historic 9-2 elimination round record though the squad were ousted by eventual champions San Miguel Beermen in the quarter-finals.

The former San Beda Red Lion averaged 17 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 4.6 APG throughout the conference, establishing himself as one of the finest young guards in the league in just his rookie year.

It was perhaps his ticket to the Gilas Pilipinas World Cup pool, as the squad also needed extra bodies. Little did Bolick know the experience would turn into one of the best milestones of his still evolving basketball career.

“Noong una, hindi ko iniisip na mag-champion ako sa college, at di ko naisip na ma-draft sa PBA, so lalo na ito, diba? Isa ito sa pinakamagandang blessing na natanggap ko sa buhay ko,” Bolick shared.

Indeed, the 23-year-old backcourt gunner has come a long way. Once a seldom-used third stringer for a stacked De La Salle UAAP roster six years ago, Bolick has worked his way up.

He became a clutch take-charge guy and a multiple champion for San Beda in the collegiate ranks. He’s been part of the Gilas cadet mainly because of that transformation too.

And while he has not been part of major senior level FIBA competitions, making the unexpected big leap is a testament to Bolick’s hard work and undying commitment to improving his craft every day.

Bolick said he will cherish every moment of being in China while also being wary of the huge task at hand.

“Every day, e-enjoyin ko talaga. Mga kalaban ko, mga NBA players talaga. Ipapakita ko sa kanila (laro namin),” he said. “Gusto ko rin malaman kung gaano sila kagaling, yung mga style nila. Ibibigay ko lang ang best ko.”

And the mentality he will bring with him for the FIBA World Cup campaign? Being 100 percent at all times.

“Dapat (100 percent kami), kasi pag kalaban mo mga ganoong klaseng team, one miss, two misses, isang turnover, baka yun na yung chance namin e. Dapat every game namin perfect.”

By Levi Verora, Jr.