Bolick ready to rebound

NorthPort guard Robert Bolick can’t wait to get back on the court and expects to be 100 percent when the PBA opens its 46th season next year. He underwent surgery after going down with a partial ACL tear in his right knee during a game against San Miguel Beer in the Governors Cup in October last year.  Watching his team tumble out of contention with a lowly 1-10 record in the Clark bubble was an exasperation, particularly as he couldn’t play. NorthPort lost Sean Anthony to a hamstring injury after four games and Jonathan Grey never saw action, still recovering from a patellar tendon tear, although he was in coach Pido Jarencio’s roster. In NorthPort’s last bubble game, Jarencio had only nine players in uniform.

“I’m sure frustrated si Christian (Standhardinger),” said Bolick who’s now in Texas with his parents. “Sobrang solid ang kanyang performance. But bawi na lang kaming lahat. Sana healthy na ang buong team. Maganda ang pinakita ng aming rookies Sean (Manganti) at Renzo (Subido) but despite everything, talo pa rin. With a good pick sa draft, bounce back kami.” Standhardinger chalked up eight double-doubles in 10 bubble games before sitting out NorthPort’s final contest. Bolick and Standhardinger played together only once in the Governors Cup game where he suffered the ACL tear. So Bolick is excited to team up with the Fil-German.

Bolick waited for NorthPort’s campaign to end before leaving for the US last Nov. 14. His parents, sister and brother have moved from Ormoc to Texas. His father Robert, Sr. is a retired US Air Force officer. His mother Zeny is Filipina. The family still maintains a home in Ormoc where his half-siblings live. Bolick’s sister Connie, 27, was recently assigned to Germany by the US Army and his brother Robert Hugh, 23, plans to join the military.  Bolick said he’ll be back in Manila in January.

While in Texas, Bolick said he’s staying in shape. He works out in a fitness gym with his brother and sometimes plays recreational basketball with Fil-Am seniors and beginners. “Ako lang yata ang naka-mask sa gym at mga 50 to 100 ang nagwo-work out,” he said. “Parang ako pa ang may sakit. Kung minsan, nagpapapawis ako playing basketball with seniors and kids, nothing serious naman, just trying to keep in shape.”

Bolick, 25, said he hopes to be able to play for Gilas again. It was a dream come true for Bolick to wear the national colors in the FIBA World Cup last year. “Kung mapili ako, of course, I’ll be honored and proud to play for our country sa FIBA World Cup 2023,” he said. “Anything para sa bayan natin.” Bolick said he’s actually ready to get married to volleyball star Abi Maraño. They’ve been in a relationship for seven years. He said they intend to settle here but there will always be a Plan B to relocate to the US.

Last week, Bolick was supposed to join JuneMar Fajardo, James Yap, CJ Perez and Jeron Teng as guests on The Philippine STAR FB live zoom show “Beyond The Game With The Dean.” But he failed to log in. Bolick said he left his phone at home and couldn’t call to excuse himself after rushing out to the hospital where his brother was brought after his truck hit a deer on the highway and was a wreck. “Okay naman ang brother ko but grabe ang damage sa truck,” said Bolick who promised to join the show on the next invitation.