MANILA, Philippines – Robert Bolick turned in his best PBA performance to date as NorthPort completed a 101-95 overtime win over Meralco in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, September 30.

Bolick put the Batang Pier on his back with a career-high 44 points on top of 7 assists and 6 rebounds, taking over in the fourth and extra periods where he erupted for half of his scoring output.

Exploding for the highest scoring game by a local this season, Bolick dropped 17 consecutive points in the fourth period as NorthPort forced overtime after going down by as many as 20 points.

The Bolts still led 89-85 with a minute left in regulation before Bolick scored 4 straight points off a layup and a pair of free throws to knot the score, and eventually, extend the match.

Bolick then sank a three-pointer and a short stab to open the extra quarter and assisted on an Arwind Santos triple that propped up a 99-93 lead as NorthPort earned its second win in three games.

“We just fought. We did not give up,” said Bolick, who eclipsed his previous career-high of 33 points in a heartbreaking 105-104 loss to guest team Bay Area a week ago.

“Last game really hurt. We could have been 3-0 by now, but that is okay. This feels good.”

As Bolick did most of the heavy lifting on offense, import Prince Ibeh took care of business on the opposite end and finished with a near triple-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 blocks for the Batang Pier.

Ibeh put the clamps on Meralco reinforcement and former NBA player Johnny O’Bryant, who churned out 30 points and 22 rebounds but made just 12 of his whopping 38 field goal attempts.

Santos delivered 15 points and 7 rebounds in the win, while Arvin Tolentino continued to be a steady presence for his new team NorthPort with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Raymond Almazan had 17 points and Allein Maliksi chimed in 11 points in the loss.

The Scores

NorthPort 101 – Bolick 44, Santos 15, Ibeh 12, Tolentino 12, Balanza 7, Caperal 3, Chan 3, Sumang 3, Salado 2, Taha 0, Calma 0, Ferrer 0.

Meralco 95 – O’Bryant 30, Almazan 17, Maliksi 11, Quinto 9, Banhcero 8, Black 6, Caram 5, Pasaol 5, Newsome 2, Hodge 2, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 26-17, 35-44, 61-71, 89-89 (reg.), 101-95 (OT).

– Rappler.com