Help is on the way for the Northport Batang Pier.
NorthPort star Robert Bolick is set to make his debut in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup when the Batang Pier take on the defending champion Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings on Friday, Feb. 10.
Coach Bonnie Tan confirmed the development to Tempo-Manila Bulletin, noting that the veteran guard has finally reached an agreement with the NorthPort management to play out the rest of the season.
“He will play this Friday,” said Tan.
Bolick’s contract, which expired last Jan. 31, has been extended to the end of the Governors’ Cup putting a temporary settlement to the impasse which obviously took a huge blow to the Batang Pier’s campaign in the season-ending conference.
Without Bolick, the Batang Pier had a rough start to the conference and have yet to enter the win column after dropping their first four games.
Aside from the return of Bolick, a new import in former SMB reinforcement Kevin Murphy is also set to come in for the Batang Pier, replacing Marcus Weathers who despite his solid numbers, couldn’t lead the NorthPort to a victory.
Weathers, who averaged 31.75 points, 10 rebounds and 2.75 assists per outing was in the country since the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup and was supposed to suit up for SMB before the Beermen settled with former NLEX import Cameron Clark, allowing NorthPort to pick him up.
“May kulang although okay naman si Marcus, mabait naman na bata pero naghahanap lang kami ng someone na makakapag lift ng team to that first win,” said the amiable coach.
With Murphy, who is already familiar to the PBA style of play, and the return of Bolick, NorthPort can now have proven closers in the crucial moments of the game – something that the team is badly lacking in its first four games in the conference. (REYNALD MAGALLON)
