NorthPort, Bolick in talks for PBA return

MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort said it is in “active talks” with the camp of point guard Robert Bolick. 

Bolick signed a contract with Japan B.League team Fukushima Firebonds back in May after opting not to renew his deal with the Batang Pier. 

But last week, Bolick asked to be released from the team, and Fukushima “decided to respect his wishes”.

NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan confirmed ongoing discusion with Bolick’s camp.

“We are exploring the possibility of his return to our team and in the PBA,” Tan told reporters at the PBA Media Day Tuesday.

“We do not know [the chances of a deal being done], but we are in talks right now,” he added. 

Bolick, one of the premier guards of the PBA before going to Japan, scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists in his first game for Fukushima last October 7. 

However, he did not play in the Firebonds’ next three games. 

Tan bared that the two sides have been in constant communication even when Bolick was still in Japan. 

“When he was in Japan, the communication was there. There was the interest of going back because of personal reasons,” the coach said.

Asked if there is a chance that Bolick could suit up for NorthPort in the upcoming PBA season, Tan said that “anything is possible”. 

“Let us wait and see the result, the outcome of our talks, because he has options to play in another country,” he said.

“But, I heard that his priority is to return to the PBA.”