NLEX Highway Warriors’ Robert Bolick within the PBA Governors’ Cup recreation towards Blackwater. –PBA IMAGES
Robert Bolick maximized the four-point shot whilst he struggled to hit it en path to an all-around efficiency that propelled NLEX to an auspicious begin within the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“I used [the shot] to create alternatives for my teammates,” mentioned Bolick, who got here inside a rebound of a triple-double within the Highway Warriors’ 104-87 victory on Thursday over the Blackwater Bossing at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
Bolick had 24 factors that went with 11 assists, loads of which got here as defenders had been cautious of his skill to knock down pictures from behind the brand new taking pictures arc within the league. Bolick made simply considered one of 4 pictures from 27 ft out, however the first half noticed him use his menace from there to simply penetrate and both convert baskets for himself or create open pictures for his teammates.
Bolick and Myke Henry, who confirmed he may additionally hit from that distance, gave NLEX excessive hopes this convention.
Share of early lead
Henry labored nicely with Bolick by way of scoring possibilities and bought 31 factors that gave the Highway Warriors a share of the early lead in Group B with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the San Miguel Beermen, who prevailed, 111-107, over the Phoenix Gasoline Masters the opposite night time.
“This convention, I’ve a distinct position with an import round, and he’s our major man,” added Bolick, who additionally had 9 boards.
Whereas NLEX is proud of Henry, Blackwater clearly has a distinct tackle its import, Ricky Ledo, who may solely produce six factors after lacking 13 of his 15 makes an attempt, together with seven of eight from three and all two from 4.
Blackwater dropped to 0-2 in its group, a dismal begin NorthPort and Terrafirma will look to keep away from after they meet in Friday’s 5 p.m. opener on the identical venue.
NorthPort is seeking to atone for its 101-95 loss to TNT on Tuesday with a returning import in Venky Jois, who was tapped regardless of a powerful exhibiting from Taylor Johns in that contest.
Johns had 36 factors, 16 rebounds and 9 assists towards the Tropang Giga, however the Batang Pier are set to reunite with the Australian-born Jois, who performed in final season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
Jois averaged 23.9 factors, 15.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.8 steals and a pair of.3 blocks in 11 video games in that convention regardless of being the shortest import at 6-foot-4, six inches beneath the peak restrict.Terrafirma will probably be seeking to get itself again on its ft after dropping a 127-95 resolution to Converge two days prior, which spoiled the debuts of Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.
Each groups are in Group A, becoming a member of Converge and Magnolia, groups that may collide within the 7:30 p.m. nightcap.
A victory will put the FiberXers, the worst staff of the 2023-24 season, in an unlikely place to be within the early lead with the Meralco Bolts or the Tropang Giga, who had been enjoying at press time. INQ
