No. 3 overall pick Robert Bolick put the league on notice right away.
Led by Bolick, NorthPort erected explosive runs in key junctures to manhandle Blackwater, 117-91, and start on a high note in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
In just his first game, highly touted combo guard already made a good account of himself, leading the Batang Pier charge with a game-high 26 points on an astounding 83-percent (10-of-12) shooting from the field, with no misses inside the arc (7-of-7), to go with three rebounds and three assists in a rousing debut.
“Talagang nag-complement si Bolick sa team eh,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio of his prized ward. “We’re getting rebounds, we’re running and we’re executing. We were really ready.”
The San Beda product scored 10 markers right away in his first quarter as a pro to show that he has arrived.
Aside from Bolick, several NorthPort cagers were likely in the zone with Paolo Taha finishing with 21 points, Sean Anthony scoring 19 and Stanley Pringle getting 16.
The Batang Pier came out on fire, zooming to a 13-3 advantage right away just two minutes into the game, thanks to Bolick’s fiery start.
The Elite roared back by zipping the first two quarters strongly, taking a double-digit lead, 38-26, early in the second frame.
However, NorthPort was unfazed as it countered with a key attack as well, ending the first half on a 29-10 spurt to regain the lead, 55-48, at the half.
The Batang Pier then turned the game of spurts into a lopsided affair in the second half by fully taking charge.
By the end of the third, NorthPort already carried an 88-75 edge.
Few minutes later, the game was out of reach as the Batang Pier was already ahead by 24, 100-76, after a Bolick triple with 8:06 remaining.
Blackwater wasn’t able to find any rhythm in the second half, allowing NorthPort to run them out of the building.
NorthPort tied Barangay Ginebra at the top with their quick 1-0 starts.
Another rookie shone as Abu Tratter led Blackwater with his team-high 18 points in an impressive debut as well.
The scores:
NorthPort 117 – Bolick 26, Taha 21, Anthony 19, Pringle 16, Guinto 12, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 5, Flores 4, Arana 3, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.
Blackwater 91 – Tratter 18, Sumang 16, Maliksi 13, Javier 11, Belo 8, Digregorio 5, Jose 5, Desiderio 5, Alolino 4, Sena 2, Banal 2, Eriobu 2, Palma 0, Dario 0.
Quarters: 22-31, 55-48, 88-75, 117-91.