If his performance is by any means an indication, NorthPort star Robert Bolick seemed to be dead set in leading his team to victory after finding a temporary resolution to his contract impasse.
Bolick signed an extension with the Batang Pier until the end of the season and immediately made his presence felt, dropping 30 points on his first game back although still not enough for NorthPort to notch its first win in the season-ending conference.
The high-scoring guard also shrugged off talks about his future saying that NorthPort will remain his priority and that both parties opted for a short term deal for now to keep their focus on the conference.
“Nandito ako dinraft ako ng Northport. 'Yung rights ko nandito eh. 'Yung puso ko maglalaro nandito sa kanila hangga't matapos at matapos 'yung kontrata,” said Bolick
“Alam ko 'yung peace of mind ko, 'yun lang naman 'yung gusto natin, alam ko mag-auto extend, auto extend wala namang problema, dito ako lalaro ako para sa team,” he added.
Bolick also explained why it took time for him and the management to reach an agreement after his contract expired at the end of January.
“'Yung speculation na 'yan, hindi 'yun, wala 'yun. 'Yung (commitment) ko nasa NorthPort. Dito ako para ibigay 'yung best ko. Nagkataon lang talaga na medyo expiry ako, gano'n naman sa kontrata hindi lang sa basketball, kahit sa NBA, kahit saang liga, mga trabaho, hindi naman kaagad pag nagusap okay na kayo kaagad,” said Bolick referring to rumors of him leaving NorthPort to play overseas – a move that has been done by some of up-and-coming and established stars.
“Boss namin dito sa Northport, busy din 'yang mga yan, hindi naman kaagad (magkakaroon ng agreement). May mga negosyong malaki 'yan so usap usap, medyo hindi kami nagkakaano pero okay lang gano'n talaga eh so sabi namin mas maganda after season na lang para maka-focus kami sa season. Ano 'yung ginawa namin,” Bolick explained.
And even when his contract expired at the end of Governors’ Cup, Bolick said he’s kept his door open for a possible return to the Batang Pier as he wanted to prioritize talking to the team first before exploring other options.
“Siyempre 'yung Northport nandito sa'kin noong na-injure ako, ACL ako nandiyan sila, pandemic nandiyan sila, so kailangan bigyan mo rin ng importansya. Sila 'yung priority ko. After ng season for sure, kung ano mang mangyari for sure, priority ko sila,” Bolick stressed.
For now, Bolick wanted to focus on helping the team recover from a 0-5 start to the conference, an adversity that the team had overcome in the past. He also wanted to give interim head coach Bonnie Tan his first win at the helm.
“Nangyari na sa'min 'to eh, nag 0-5 kami tapos nakabawi kami. Hindi kami susuko. Bibigyan namin ng magandang season si Boss Boni, deserve niya 'yon eh, kung paano siya magtrabaho, paano magtrabaho 'yung staff namin, medyo kinapos lang talaga kami ngayon,” he concluded.