Robert Bolick (8) played nearly 39 minutes against Letran. Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship is the only trophy that matters to Robert Bolick.

After leading San Beda College to the title, Bolick finally got his due recognition after he was named Player of the Year in the 2018 Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Basketball Awards yesterday at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros.

The 6-foot-1 guard was the undisputed leader of a San Beda side that won its league-leading 21st title in NCAA Season 93.

But Bolick was left out of any individual hardware after being disqualified for the Mythical Team due to a controversial ejection in an elimination-round game.

Bolick personally received the award during the awards ceremony sponsored by Chooks-to-Go and supported by The Bayleaf Intramuros and Cherrylume.

While the 21-year-old is never one to look for personal glory, the fact remains that he was the catalyst for the Mendiola-based squad in two close contests in the Finals against Lyceum and Season Most Valuable Player CJ Perez.

Bolick came through for his team when it mattered most, dropping seven of his 24 points in the last two minutes of Game 1 and then scoring seven of his 22 markers with under five minutes remaining in Game 2.

The pride of Ormoc, Leyte is the first Red Lion and first NCAA standout to be hailed as Player of the Year. He follows La Salle’s Jeron Teng and Ben Mbala, Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena, and FEU’s Mac Belo as winners of the award.

Joining Bolick in this year’s Mythical Team were Green Archer Mbala, Pirate Perez, and Blue Eagles Matt Nieto and Thirdy Ravena.

Meanwhile, San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez and Ateneo mentor Tab Baldwin were also feted as Coaches of the Year last Thursday night.

Fernandez guided the Red Lions to their 10th title in the last 12 years after emphatic wins in the NCAA Finals against Lyceum, a team that swept the eliminations.