On the night NLEX was missing the services of a grieving Robert Bolick, one of its sophomores stood up to the challenge and made true what the Road Warriors’ ace scorer had been saying before the PBA Philippine Cup tipped off.
Jonnel Policarpio’s 16 points were one of the reasons why they were able to come from a 13-point deficit to survive defending champion San Miguel Beer, 85-84, on Wednesday at Ynares Center here. ‘We all contributed to this win,’ Policarpio said in Filipino after posting 16 points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Road Warriors.
Brandon Ramirez and JB Bahio were instrumental as well on both ends to cap off the crucial performances of coach Jong Uichico’s three sophomore frontcourt players.
But Policarpio’s showing seems to be an indication that the words Bolick made before the start of the season are holding true, at least for one game.
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Bolick had mentioned Policarpio, who averaged 6.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 40 games with an average playing time of 14 minutes, as among those on the NLEX roster who are expected to ‘do big things’ this season. One indication was Policarpio’s part in NLEX’s triumphant run in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament in Davao City during the offseason, which ended with the Road Warriors taking home the crown after beating the Blackwater Bossing in the championship game.
His play also became doubly important, with Bolick skipping the season-opener to mourn the loss of his father in the United States. ‘The trust that Coach Jong [Uichico] has given to me is really important,’ said Policarpio. ‘Kuya Bert also reminds me to just do my best everytime I’m on the court. Their faith really helps boost my confidence.’
NLEX could end the opening week of the PBA season at 2-0, with Terrafirma next on Sunday at the same venue.
Policarpio, Ramirez, Bahio, as well as Enoch Valdez, Matt Nieto and veteran Kevin Alas are expected to put the Road Warriors on the winning side once more.
Ramirez scored baskets underneath while holding his own against June Mar Fajardo while Bahio had 12 points and 12 rebounds and made a stop in the final seconds when he forced Don Trollano to go for an errant pass instead of a shot before time expired. Valdez and Nieto made most of their playing time even as Alas contributed 12 points and showed the form that replicated the time before he went down with an ACL injury for the third time in 2023.