Robert Bolick played like a man possessed as NorthPort pulled off an epic comeback win against Meralco in the first overtime game of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
The fourth-year guard exploded for a new career-high 44 points on 16-of-31 shooting from the floor as he willed the Batang Pier back from a 20-point deficit and stunned the Bolts, 101-95, for their second win in three outings.
Bolick battled cramps and fatigue to score a mind-boggling 22 straight points, including 17 in the fourth period, in a spectacular performance that delighted the crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
His two free throws with 18.3 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime before scoring five straight points capped by a three-pointer, to start the extra period as the Batang Pier finally took control, 94-89.
“We really played hard. We never gave up,” Bolick said.
“It was such a great feeling.”
Bolick’s heroics made him the hands down choice as the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of 28 September to 2 October.
The scoring feat by the former San Beda University star, who also added seven assists and six rebounds, was definitely one for the books.
His output was the highest to be scored by a local overall since TNT’s Roger Pogoy erupted for 45 points against Alaska in the 2020 Philippine Cup at the Clark bubble.