Road Warriors redeem selves from huge loss

ANTIPOLO, Philippines — Robert Bolick and NLEX went on full bounce-back mode on the road to quickly atone for their opening-game meltdown.

With Bolick delivering a makeup performance of 23 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, and import Mike Watkins producing a monster 26-25, the Road Warriors tripped Blackwater, 107-95, to go 1-1 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center here.

The troops of coach Jong Uichico got the pull-around just two days after infamously blowing a 23-point lead against NorthPort in their maiden assignment and losing big, 87-114.

According to Uichico, the emphasis at pre-game was simple: “Just don’t play like we played the other game.”

“It was embarrassing, really, the game we played. Not too much (technical) adjustments but it was more on the players’ (mental) adjustments in not wanting to lose that way. Or trying to to make up for that loss to NorthPort,” said Uichico.

Bolick had fire in his eyes after managing only three points versus nine assists and four rebounds against the Batang Pier.

“Nakakahiya, tulad ng sabi ni coach. Noong first game, sinunod namin ‘yung game plan ni coach. Ang ganda na sana, ang  problema lang noong humabol na sila, umalis kami doon sa ilang buwan naming inensayo,” sid Bolick, who was a +23 in efficiency yesterday after -6 last time.

Later, Arvin Tolentino posted a 21-13-10 triple-double as NorthPort beat all-Filipino Terrafirma, 113-101, to tie guest team Eastern at 2-0. The Dyip, whose import Ryan Richards made an unceremonious exit barely one second into the game, fell to 0-2.