PBA: Robert Bolick fulfills ‘responsibility’ to Northport amid overseas rumors

MANILA, Philippines—Robert Bolick scoffed at the fact that he has lost interest in NorthPort amid speculation that he may be plying his trade overseas.

Bolick made sure the game left little room for doubt Friday night, putting up 30 points and five rebounds in his first game back from a hamstring injury and contract stalemate.

“It’s funny to hear all these speculations. I was just at home,” he told reporters in Filipino shortly after NorthPort lost 115-100 to Ginebra at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“You all know that I have a responsibility to this team. NorthPort drafted me (in 2018) and my right is here. My heart wants to play for them (the organization) until my contract is over.”

Bolick recently signed a single conference deal with the Batang Pier to resolve the second stalemate that initially led to speculation that he would join other Filipinos playing in Japan, Korea, or Taiwan.

“It only happens when I run out. The same goes for contracts. Even in the NBA, or any league, the job. Just because both sides are talking, doesn’t mean all is well and good. There was a series of talks. Our bosses here at NorthPort are busy [folk] and they have a big business,” the 27-year-old guard shared.

Bolick said that the camp and management of NorthPort felt that the best recourse to revisit after the conference to allow spitfire to maintain “focus on the future” – or what is left.

“I like it here. We still have a season even with an 0-5 record. We have been here before and turned around,” he said. “We will not give up. We hope to give coach Bonnie (Tan) the season she deserves.

Tan, for the longest time, was the manager of the club before the appointment of Pido Jarencio, who recently reunited with the UST Growling Tigers.

“We just collapsed this time,” Bolick said of the game against the defending champion, which at one point they controlled.

“We’re just hoping to be more fluid in the next game,” he said. “Our imports only come with one or two training sessions under their belts. On the other hand, they have Justin (Brownlee), and it’s been a long time.

“We want to win. We don’t have another mindset,” Bolick said. “We want to get to the quarters, the semis. Hopefully the finale. We are allowed to dream, right? If you hope to last long in this league, you have to have a vision. And hopefully, we can do this conference.

Bolick also promised that after the season, his priority will be first touch base with NorthPort—and take it from there.

“My first responsibility is with this team. I will talk to NorthPort. We will talk about what is best for me. I am sure they also think what is best for me,” he said.

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.