Robert Bolick passed his first game as a full-pledge pro with flying colors.
The former San Beda star drops 26 points in his rookie debut as the NorthPort Batang Pier dispatched the Blackwater Elite, 117-91, on Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Later after the game, Bolick, the third pick overall in the previous rookie draft, readily acknowledged the trust and support of his teammates, saying it gave him confidence and brought out the best in him.
"Swerte lang ako sa team, ang babait nila eh. Yung mga beterano, yun pa yung mababait. Sobrang swerte ko as a player na ganito kaagad yung napuntahan kong team," offered Bolick, who shot 10-fo-12 from the field.
He also had three rebounds and dished out three assists.
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Bolick said he didn't have trouble making the adjustment since NorthPort selected him from the rookie pool.
"Di na ganoong kalaki yung adjustment na ginagawa ko dahil sobrang swerte ko as a player na ganito kaagad yung napuntahan kong team," he said.
While he was grateful to everyone on the team, Bolick reserved his best comment for Stanley Pringle, whom he said really helped during his transition period.
"Si Stanley, sobrang bait. Ang dami ko kaagad natutunan sa kanya," the 23-year-old. "Pag kinausap mo nga siya parang hindi siya star player eh.
"Napaka-humble, napaka-simpleng tao. Lagi niya ako kinakausap at sinasabihan na just play your game. Nakikita ko sa practice yung mga ginagawa niya at syempre kailangan ko kunin yung paano siya mag-work out. Ang galing niya eh, ginagaya ko lang siya. Napakaswerte kong tao na dito ako napunta," Bolick said.
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Bolick knows well knows well that he still has a lot to learn in his rookie year and promised to work hard every single day.
"Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy," he quipped. "Di pa ako kuntento kasi first game pa lang eh. Madami pang mabibigat na teams na kakalabanin. Kailangan ko lang mag-trabaho ng doble araw-araw." (DL)
