Robert Bolick played his first year for the Red Lions in 2016, a year after the Mendiola-based squad’s heart-breaking loss to the Letran Knights in the game three of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 91 men’s basketball finals.
Still, whenever the King Lion faces the Knights, he finds inspiration in that game, as he wants to avenge his brothers’ painful loss in 2015.
“Parating nasa isip ko ‘yung nangyari kila AC, itong [mga] seniors namin na natalo sa finals, kami ‘di naman kami makakalimot,” Bolick explained.
AC Soberano, Javee Mocon, Joe Presbitero, Radge Tongco, and Donald Tankoua were the remnants of that San Beda team that lost to the Knights’ in the game three of the Season 91 finals where Bolick grabs motivation from.
“Maganda talaga pag arch-rival kalaban mo syempre gusto naming manalo,” the King Lion said, as he posted superb numbers in San Beda’s 80-76 win over the Knights last Friday, putting up 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes of action.
Bolick received praise from San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez for his stellar play. “Alam naman ng players namin na wherever Robert brings us, ‘dun kami pupunta,” Fernandez said.
The Gilas cadet made a free throw with 45.7 seconds remaining to tie the game at 76-all in the extension period.
“Binigay lang namin ‘yung best namin, pasalamat kami na binigay sa amin ng Diyos,” Bolick said, as he now holds a 5-0 record against the Intramuros-based squad.