PBA: Bolick’s near triple-double carries NLEX past Blackwater

Robert Bolick finally got his first win with his new team as he dropped an all-around outing to steer NLEX to a 104-97 escape against Blackwater to end their slump in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bolick, who was shipped to the Road Warriors by NorthPort just days ago, churned out a game-high 30 points on top of 15 assists and eight rebounds as NLEX halted their four-game losing streak for an improved 3-6 card.

The Bossing, however, could still not solve their woes as they slid to their eighth straight loss to go 1-8.

NLEX struggled to pull away for good against Blackwater despite holding the lead the entire game as the Bossing established a precarious 79-77 cushion to end the penultimate frame. 

RK Ilagan’s basket in the final minute proved to be crucial as it allowed Blackwater to cut the deficit to four, 95-99, before rookie Archie Concepcion completed a layup that made it a 97-100 affair with 50 ticks left.

Concepcion, though, committed a costly turnover during the play that would have further cut their deficit or tied things up, forcing Mike Digregorio to draw a foul on Bolick.

Bolick then sank two charities before drilling a layup to seal the deal for NLEX, which prior to this game folded to Magnolia, Meralco, Rain or Shine, and TNT.

Scores:

NLEX 104 – Bolick 30, Chaffee 20, Nermal 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Valdez 11, Semerad 5, Anthony 4, Rodger 3, Miranda 3, Herndon 0.

Blackwater 97 – Ortiz 27, David 17, Ilagan 16, DiGregorio 12, Suerte 7, Concepcion 6, Rosario 5, Amer 4, Hill 2, Ular 1, Escoto 0, Kwukuteye 0, Guinto 0.

Quarters: 27-26, 52-51, 77-79, 104-97.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News