Bolick to Japan B. League could be imminent

One of the Philippines’ brightest young basketball stars may soon be electrifying hoops-adoring crowds in another land.

A trusted source connected to the PBA told Rappler that Robert Bolick, one of the NorthPort Batang Pier’s franchise players, and arguably the best, has plans to take his talents to the Japan B. League, and that it could be imminent. 

According to the source: “Pag may kontrata na dadating (from Japan) bago yung season, baka mag opt out na [si Bolick] sa PBA.”

“And if ever na hindi dadating, tatapusin niya yung season, tapos diretso doon,” the source added.

(If the contract from Japan arrives before the season, Bolick might opt out of the PBA. If it doesn’t come, he will finish the season then go straight to Japan.)

Bolick will apparently have a better idea of whether or not a team from the B. League will make an official offer by next week. 

Originally scheduled to start on November 28, the PBA recently moved its second conference’s opening to the first week of December. 

The 26-year-old, who was selected third overall by NorthPort in the 2018 draft following a championship-laden college career with La Salle and San Beda, signed a three-year PBA deal that expires in January 2022. 

The source says Bolick has a keen suitor in one of the B. League’s Division 2 powerhouse teams, although no specific name was mentioned. 

Based on past events, Japanese management often wants clarity on the current contract situations of players before making a formal offer.

“Pag dumating na yung contract, puwede na siya mag paalam na hindi na siya lalaro, papa-expire na lang siya, tapos maglaro sa Japan,” the source said.

(When the contract arrives, he will ask permission to no longer play, let his contract expire, then play in Japan.)

If he gets a contract offer after the PBA season starts, Bolick will play out the final conference with the Batang Pier, then head to the B. League after to play as an Asian import. The Leyte native seems intent to compete in Japan’s top hoops league, where the current regular season will run until April.

Other young stars like Kobe Paras, the Ravenas, and the Gomez de Liaños, to name a few, have trailblazed a similar path.

But that doesn’t mean NorthPort no longer has a chance to keep Bolick long term. According to the source, the young PBA star remains open to the idea of a contract extension with the Batang Pier, even if his mindset is somewhat already leaning the other way. 

“A return depends on the negotiations and talks,” said the source, who added that NorthPort has yet to offer an extension.

Bolick also still has to process his Japanese visa from the embassy following protocol delays due to the pandemic. But the source said the NorthPort stalwart might acquire his pertinent work documents by December or January.

Bolick, who has yet to confirm the development, led NorthPort to a 6-5 standing in the recent Philippine Cup held in a bubble. The Batang Pier, though, were eliminated by the San Miguel Beermen in the quarterfinals after two hard-fought games. 

He averaged 19 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists a game, per PBA stats, while compiling a collection of clutch late-game baskets in close matchups. – Rappler.com