ROOKIE Robert Bolick looks like a  perfect fit for NorthPort Batang Pier.

At least in  his  first game with the Batang Pier as a pro.

Bolick,  the  No. 3 pick overall in  the  recent  PBA Draft,  lived up to his high billing by scoring  a team-high  26 points on 10-of-12 shooting   to  lead NorthPort to  a  smashing 117-91 win over  Blackwater in   the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The shooting guard out of NCAA  champion  San Beda struck hardest in the first six minutes of the game by scoring 10 points.

Bolick also had three rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes.

“It’s  a  total team effort. The players did their share,” said NorthPort   coach Pido   Jarencio after the game.

“We’re making   our shots.  Pati ‘yung  decision-making,  maganda. We;re complementing each other. We’ re running. Yan talaga ang basketball namin.”  As expected,  Jarencio reserved his  nicest words  to  Bolick.

“Nag  compliment si Bolick sa  team.  Made  na  made na yung bata. He’s a  winner,  very  coachable, nakikinig talaga” added Jarencio.

Based on PBA records, Bolick’s output was the most scored  by a rookie in his first game  since Sol  Mercado  cam away  with   29  points for Rain or Shine  during the 2009 Philippine Cup.

Paolo Taha provided able support to  Bolick  with  with 21 points six rebounds and three assists for   the  Batang Pier, who led  by as many  as 29  points, 111-82,  in  the  fourth quarter.

Sean Anthony added 19 points,  Stanley Pringle  contributed  16 points, seven  rebounds and five  assists,  Bradwyn  Guinto had 12 points and Mo Tautuaa had 11 points  in the Batang Pier’s  strong  start in this prestigious  tournament.

Blackwater  rookie Abu Tratter  also had a  rousing debut as he finished with 18 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort by the Elite.

Roi Sumang added 16 markers. 

Actually,  Blackwater took control of the game and established a 12-point lead, 40-28, early in the second period.

But the Batang Pier came charging back behind the  hot hands  of Anthony and   Pringle,  as they  outscored  the Elite, 27-7, the  rest of  the way  to  completely turn  the  game  around, 55-48, at halftime.

The  Batang Pier  never looked back  from  there.

The scores:

NorthPort (117) - Bolick 26, Taha 21, Anthony 19, Pringle 16, Guinto 12, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 5, Flores 4, Arana 3, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.

Blackwater (91) - Tratter 18, Sumang 16, Maliksi 13, Javier 11, Belo 8, Digregorio 5, Jose 5, Desiderio 5, Alolino 4, Sena 2, Banal 2, Eriobu 2, Palma 0, Dario 0.

Quarterscores: 22-31, 55-48, 88-75, 117-91.