Gilas’ Bolick, Nocum build instant bond ahead of Asian Games run

Gilas Pilipinas’ Robert Bolick and Adrian Nocum headed to Korea ahead of the Nationals’ Asian Games campaign. –ROBERT BOLICK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–It seemed like Robert Bolick and Adrian Nocum immediately clicked the moment Gilas Pilipinas’ Asian Games team converged for its quest to retain the gold in the Aichi-Nagoya edition.

“Sobrang gaan lang din siyang samahan,” Nocum said of Bolick from Suwon, South Korea during a virtual press conference arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Thursday.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas at Asian Games 2026: What you need to know

“We’re roommates and I’ve learned a lot from him,” he continued. “He has a lot of stories to tell and cracks a lot of jokes. He’s just easy to be with.”

Bolick and Nocum are hoping that quick chemistry can translate on the court as Gilas tries to step on the top of the podium once more with an all-PBA lineup that was built from the ones coach Tim Cone has in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Asian Games will be a return to national team duties for Bolick, nine months after leading Gilas’ difficult road to the Southeast Asian Games gold in Thailand under coach Norman Black.

This time, Bolick gets a chance to impress coach Tim Cone, who has let assistants Richard del Rosario, Josh Reyes and Jong Uichico run a free-flowing style instead of his trademark Triangle Offense.

READ: Gilas ready to go with 11 players if Brownlee misses Asian Games

Bolick’s closeness with Nocum has stemmed from not just by supporting the Rain or Shine star’s recently launched clothing business, but also from joking with Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao about recruiting Nocum to NLEX.

“Hindi siya pilitan na samahan. Natural lang talaga,” Bolick said.

Gilas is currently in Suwon to play a two-game exhibition with South Korea starting Friday before heading to Nagoya for the Asian Games.

Bolick and Nocum are part of the 11-man crew also comprised of fellow PBA standouts RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Zavier Lucero, Don Trollano, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Brandion Bates, Sedrick Barefield and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

“Everyone has a good sense of humor, but our focus is there whenever we’re on the court,” Bolick said. “It’s nice to be with other guys because you get to learn from them, and you get to learn their strengths and tendencies.

“But at least, when it comes to the PBA, it’s easy to scout them,” Bolick added in jest.