Game 2 loss spoils MVP Bolick’s day

MANILA, Philippines - Cignal-San Beda’s Robert Bolick would have traded his MVP trophy for a championship any time.

On the night he bagged the coveted individual award, Bolick emerged from the Hawkeyes’ dugout frustrated, taking the blame for the team’s 90-100 defeat to Racal Monday that set up the sudden death for the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown.

“I don’t want an MVP award. I want the championship,” said Bolick, who actually topscored for Cignal with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in Game Two. “I really wanted the title. So blame the loss on me.”

The 21-year-old star from Ormoc, Leyte specifically blamed his poor defense on Racal’s top gunners, particularly Rey Nambatac, who came away with 24 points, including 10 in the fourth where the Tile Masters pulled away for good to level the best-of-three series after the Hawkeyes’ 93-85 win in Game One.

“It’s my fault, not my teammates’ because I was not able to defend Rey (Nambatac) and (Kent) Salado. I am a defender but they were able to score that way,” said Bolick.

Salado also logged 15 markers.

But Bolick vowed to bounce back strong in the decider, silence the Tile Masters and help deliver mentor Boyet Fernandez his seventh crown in the league.

“They are laughing at us now so we will bounce back in Game Three. We’ll come back stronger,” said Bolick, who earned the MVP honors after norming 12.2 points on a 49.5 percent shooting clip, 3.6 boards, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals.

He had 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal in the Hawkeyes’ Game One victory.

Game Three is set tomorrow at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City at 4 p.m.