Tough love: how criticism from Aby sparked Bolick’s perfect game

Naveen Ganglani

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Tough love: how criticism from Aby sparked Bolick’s perfect game
Robert Bolick didn’t miss a single shot during the Red Lions’ win over Mapua

MANILA, Philippines – Throughout her time playing in the UAAP, in international competition, and in the Philippine Superliga, Aby Marano has established a reputation as one of the country’s fiercest competitive athletes.

So it’s not too surprising that, after her boyfriend Robert Bolick’s forgettable game against the DLSU Green Archers last Saturday, May 21, Marano didn’t bite her tongue telling the now San Beda Red Lion about how he didn’t play up to standard.

“Aby won championships [and] MVPs,” a laughing Bolick told Rappler on Thursday, May 26. “Siya din mismo, grabe yung mga sinasabi niya saakin.”

(What she was telling me was intense.)

Bolick, who transferred from DLSU to San Beda after his second year as a Green Archer in 2014, had the game against La Salle circled on his calendar. The FilOil preseason tournament is one of only two times a year UAAP and NCAA schools go head to head, so after serving his one-year residency, Bolick was looking forward to finally being back in action this tournament, and getting to face his former team was even more motivation.

But not only did the Red Lions lose to the Green Archers, 94-85; Bolick also had a forgettable game: 8 points on 3-of-9 shooting, 3 turnovers, and 4 fouls.

First, he heard the criticism on social media and from La Salle people.

Naririnig ko sa La Salle [community],” he shared to Rappler. “May mga nag twe-tweet pa nga saakin, ‘Sakto-sakto din lumipat ka, hindi ka naman magaling.’ Tapos may nag sabi pa kay Aby na, ‘Turuan mo naman mag basketball boyfriend mo.’”

(I heard it from the La Salle community. Then there were those who tweeted me, “It’s a good thing you transferred, because you aren’t good anyway.” Then someone even told Aby, “Teach your boyfriend how to play basketball.”)

None of the noise that reached his ears, however, had as much of a resounding effect as the words uttered by his girlfriend for nearly 3 years now.

“‘Ano ba ‘yan, nag lalaro ka na, wala ka parin,’” Bolick remembered what Marano told him. 

(What are you doing? You’re already playing but you still aren’t producing.)

Sabi niya saakin, ‘Akala ko ba gusto mo mag laro, tapos nandiyan ka na, tapos wala ka naman pinapakita.’”

(She told me, “I thought you wanted to play more, but now that you’re here, you’re still not showing anything.)

Bolick, who was a star for La Salle Greenhills in high school and was part of DLSU’s 2013 title team as a rookie, admitted to being frustrated at first, but more so because what he was hearing – which was magnified since it was from his main support system – was accurate.

CHAMPS. Robert Bolick was part of DLSU's 2013 championship team. File photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler

Syempre, exact day pa natalo kami sa La Salle, so I was like, ‘Okay.’ Yung gabi na ‘yun, nung sinabihan niya ako, sobrang galit ko, bumaba ako, nag jogging lang ako,” he said, before adding: “I was really waiting for this game.”

(Of course, that was the same day we lost to La Salle, so I was like, “Okay.” That night, when she scolded me, I was so pissed that I went down and just went for a jog.)

It didn’t take long for Bolick to make up for it. In San Beda’s next game against Mapua on Thursday, May 26, he scored 15 points in only 16 minutes, including going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field (two 3-pointers) and 5-of-5 from the foul line. He also did not commit a single turnover and fouled just once.

Syempre, gusto ko talaga mga sinasabi ni Aby saakin,” Bolick said, chuckling at the memory. “Nakakaboost nang morale eh. Syempre, champion siya, nag dala na siya nang team, she has proven everything in college, [and] especially in PSL.”

(Of course, I like hearing what Aby tells me. It boosts my morale. Of course, she’s a champion, she’s carried teams, she has proven everything in college, and especially in PSL.)

Marano, now 23, made the UAAP Finals every year she was eligible for La Salle’s women’s volleyball team. Aside from winning two league MVPs and a Best Blocker award, she also helped the Lady Spikers win 3 straight championships from Seasons 73-75.

Sabi ko sakanya, ‘Wait, I’ll get kung saan ka na punta. Kahit hindi ko man kaya mga MVPs, I’ll try my best natapatan kita. Papakita ko din na kayo ko din,’” said Bolick.

(I told her, “Wait, I’ll get to where you’ve reached. Even if I won’t win MVPs, I’ll try my best to match your accomplishments. I’ll also show that I can do the same.)

And with regards to the other criticism, Bolick says he likes it. Using their words as fuel, he believes the noise is best for his career long-term.

Gusto ko ‘yun eh. Gusto ko yung mga ganon, kasi at the end of the day, they help me, [at] lahat naman nang players may criticism eh. So thankful lang ako sa mga ganon.”

(I like that. I like hearing that because at the end of the day they help me, and all players hear criticism. So I’m just thankful for that.) – Rappler.com

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