NLEX is no longer a Robert Bolick show.
There’s no question about the skills and explosiveness of scoring leader Bolick, but with coach Jong Uichico shifting to a system that allows others to share the limelight, the Road Warriors are cruising on the right track.
NLEX has been sharing the ball well and displaying balanced scoring to zoom into the top three of the standings midway through the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.
The Road Warriors are on a three-game winning roll with Bolick not shouldering the bulk of the scoring load.
After an opening game loss to top contender Sam Miguel Beer, NLEX prevailed over their next assignments by an average of 13-point margin.
“In our first game, as coach would always say, there are ugly and good losses. In that game, we did well. It’s just that we got overwhelmed by the talent of San Miguel. But what’s good about it is that we stuck to what we’re doing in practice: movement without the ball, player movement. We just continued what coach preaches,” Bolick said after leading three Road Warriors in double-figure scoring with 20 points in an 80-72 win over Blackwater last Friday.
“Our last three games have shown our depth. Every game, different players have stepped up. Credit to coach Jong and our skills coaches,” he added.
Uichico’s approach in the all-Filipino tournament is to utilize Bolick’s court vision and decision-making and not just rely on his offensive prowess.
He wants Bolick to make those around him shine.
“Coach believes in my teammates and has been giving them their time to shine,” Bolick said.
“That’s what coach preaches to me: I must make my teammates look good. We continue to work on that.”
Players like Kevin Alas, Xyrus Torres, Dominick Fajardo, JB Bahio and Javee Mocon all get their moments of brilliance for the Road Warriors.
Bolick believes that NLEX is making a good run into the playoffs after falling short of advancing into the quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup. The Road Warriors missed the playoffs in the import-laden mid-season tournament after receiving the boot from Magnolia in a sudden-death for the No. 8 spot.
“We came off tough games. What’s good about it, whether losing or winning, is our composure as a team and our trust in each other. Whoever takes the shot, we’re happy. So, credit the coach for the foundation that we’re trying to build,” he said.
But the next three assignments will test whether NLEX is for real or not.