By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Just when the others thought that NorthPort Batang Pier’s superstar Robert Bolick will be flying to Japan and play as an Asian import in the B. League, little did they know that he was making his way into the Gilas Pilipinas training bubble at the Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club in Lipa, Batangas to join the squad for the upcoming first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Everyone was stunned when national team head coach Chot Reyes posted a clip of Bolick wearing the Gilas practice gear while participating in team drills.
During the past few weeks, Bolick was the talk of the town in the PBA when rumors spread that he will be suiting up in Japan after not signing an extension contract with NorthPort.
However, all the rumors were put to rest when the NorthPort management announced that Bolick already signed his extension and will be joining the team once his Gilas commitment will be done.
Bolick will be making his highly-anticipated comeback with the national team two years after impressing on the international stage during the 2019 FIBA World Cup held in China.
The former San Beda Red Lions main gunner was quick to introduce himself on the brightest stage together with Kiefer Raven and CJ Perez when the young trio proved to be worthy scorers of the 2019 national team.
Now that he’s back, Bolick is looking to avenge the disappointing ride he had with Gilas and will be teaming up with Thirdy Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Juan Gomez de Liaño, and Ange Kouame.
Bolick will first see action when Gilas will be taking on Korea this coming February 24, 2022, India the next day, and New Zealand on February 27.
