BACOLOD CITY – Robert Bolick nailed two clutch four point shots in the end game – one even a rare five-point play – as Team Barroca salvaged a draw against Team Japeth, 140-140 in the 2024 PBA All-Star game before a sellout crowd at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on Sunday, March 24 here.
Struggling with his shot all-game long, Bolick rose to the occasion in the final 90 seconds, drilling the first four-pointer to pull Team Barroca within five, 140-35, before Cliff Hodge completed a steal and set up Bolick again for another cold-blooded four pointer with 17.8 seconds left.
That didn’t end there as Calvin Oftana was called for a foul on his contest on Bolick’s shot allowing the NLEX star to tie the game at 140-all after coolly sinking the bonus free throw.
Oftana had the chance to give the win to Team Japeth on the final possession but missed a well-challenged left handed layup as the time expired.
Bolick only finished with 13 points but made his presence felt when it mattered the most after pouring 10 of his total in the final frame to help Team Barroca force the only third time that ended up in a draw much to the delight of the Bacolodnons in attendance.
Interestingly, the 2008 edition of the PBA All-Star which was also held in Bacolod City was also tied at the end of regulation but was allowed to continue to an overtime period to heaved the request of the fans for an extra period.
The South All-Star won that contest 163-158 over the North All-Stars.
With his heroics, Bolick was hailed as the All-Star co-MVP along with Japeth Aguilar who had 21 points – 10 of which also came in the final frame.
CJ Perez emerged as the top scorer with 39 points – 28 of which he unloaded in the second quarter that kept Team Barroca afloat in the middle of a surging four-point shooting from Team Japeth
His scoring in that frame also entered the league record books as the most points scored in a single quarter since the All-Star was institutionalized in 1989.
Calvin Abueva also added 18 points while June Mar Fajardo and Ricci Rivero had 17 and 15 respectively.
RR Pogoy and Marcio Lassiter – the two gunners responsible to Team Japeth’s hot start that built a 56-24 lead in the first half – paced Team Japeth with 25 and 24 points respectively.
