ROBERT Bolick not only kept NLEX alive in the quarterfinal race of the PBA Commissioner's Cup with another crucial win, but he also pulled off a feat that has rarely been done in the league's colorful history.
Bolick, the latest winner of the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week, posted 40 points and 10 assists in the Road Warriors' 122-110 romp of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters that made him the first local player in 41 years to register a 40-10 statline.
The great Ramon Fernandez had 44 points and 15 assists for Beer Hausen during a 1984 game against guest team Northern Consolidated in the Second All-Filipino Conference.
Fernandez also grabbed 17 rebounds in Beer Hausen's 122-117 overtime win. He went on to win the second of his four Most Valuable Player awards.
As blessed as he felt upon learning the trivia provided by PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, Bolick was more pleased to help NLEX control its quarterfinal fortunes.
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"Wala nang bukas e," said Bolick. "Meron pa kaming opportunity, may hope pa na makapasok kami. Minsan-minsan lang mangyari 'to kaya gusto namin i-grab yung opportunity.
NLEX improved to 5-6 for a share of eighth spot with Magnolia while gaining a half-game ahead of San Miguel Beer, which has a 5-7 mark, going into its final elimination round assignment against guest team Eastern at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Road Warriors need a win over the Hong Kong outfit to assure themselves of at least a playoff for the eighth seed in the quarters.
Bolick earned the nod for the period of Jan. 21 to 26 by scribes regularly covering the PBA beat over NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino and Magnolia's Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa.
Tolentino led the Batang Pier to two wins over the Beermen and Blackwater Bossing to finish off the eliminations at 9-3 while Lucero and Lastimosa were vital cogs in the Hotshots' 107-78 triumph over Eastern.
