Looking at LPU's guarding of San Beda's Bolick

MANILA, Philippines – Robert Bolick Jr. has totally transformed his game following his transfer to San Beda from La Salle. Bolick has become a whirlwind of a force; a game changer who does many things on the basketball court from scoring to creating for teammates and even playing defense.

Heading into the final match of the elimination round against Lyceum of the Philippines, Bolick Jr. was averaging 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists (with a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio) in 31-plus minutes per game. He shoots at 50.8 percent from the field. An astounding number as he doesn’t take too many bad shots. He measures his shots well and he likes to attack and that always means higher percentage shots.

How did Bolick do against Lyceum in a 75-68 victory? He finished with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists (his teammates muffed a few gimmes that would have hiked his assist total) and no turnovers. It was an outstanding performance.

However, the victory and San Beda’s play can also be attributed also to the terrific play of Fil-Canadian James Kwekuteye, whose strong drives early in the game gave the Red Lions the opening it needed to dictate the tempo. Those blow-bys were devastating, more so when LPU pulled out Mike Nzeusseu. At one point, SBU scored on four straight drives. It is almost ridiculous because it was like a lay-up line out there.

The Red Lions were quick to exploit match-up problems. When Nzeusseu went out to the perimeter, they quickly dumped the ball inside.

I have felt — and I have written about this during the preseason and during the campaign — that the lack of a rim protector would be a chink in the Pirates’ armor.

Then on defense, San Beda threw a zone that confounded the Pirates’ attack. The Red Lions clogged the lane and forced bad passes. Players were getting blocked (5-2 for SBU).

Defending Bolick is one thing, but the Red Lions have another player who can do the same things in Jayvee Mocon (and even Kwekuteye). Mocon posting up is like how Letran plays LPU with Quinto posting on either side of the lane.

San Beda had so many weapons, but Bolick was just sensational.

Lyceum defended Bolick by giving him different looks on defense. And here is how he fared against the Pirates.

Wide open with no one on him – 1 miss.

6 field goals made on 15 attempts + 5 free throws = 18 points.

Some Pirates enjoyed success on Bolick but with San Beda, you really have to pick your poison.

With Lyceum Final Four game looming and the Letran Knights sure to play the Pirates once more in the same manner, the onus now is on the former to adjust.