NLEX dedicated its come-from-behind 85-84 victory over defending champion San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup to ace scorer Robert Bolick, who is mourning the loss of his father.
Bolick was not around for Wednesday’s thrilling contest at Ynares Center here after he flew to the United States to visit the wake of Robert Lee Bolick Sr., a former United States serviceman.
The elder Bolick was 82 years old, according to an obituary page found online.
‘Kuya Berto, be strong,’ Jonnel Policarpio said after helping the Road Warriors overcome a double-digit deficit in the second half.
NLEX said Bolick left the country on the eve of the team’s opening assignment in the season-opening conference.
Even without Bolick, NLEX was able to withstand the challenge of starting the conference facing San Miguel, which ruled the centerpiece conference last July.
Coach Jong Uichico opted to spread the minutes to Matt Nieto, Enoch Valdez, Baser Amer and Kevin Alas, who had 12 points and five rebounds for the Road Warriors, in Bolick’s absence.
But the biggest factors were Policarpio and Brandon Ramirez with 16 points each plus JB Bahio with 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Road Warriors.