Much has been said about the night-and-day difference between the Gilas Pilipinas squads sent to the 2022 (but played in 2023) and the 2026 Asian Games. The former was mostly made up of PBA veterans who were looking to atone for a disappointing 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup stint, while the latter is made up of a bunch of up-and-coming PBA players who have the potential to elevate their games with an opportunity like this. 

The Philippines will also be without Justin Brownlee, who continues to recover from a hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy on his right leg as well as left knee swelling and cartilage defects. Wear and tear has caught up to Brownlee and his absence creates a void on and even off the court. 

Inexperience and limited runs cap the rest of the current roster, leaving one man to shoulder the load and lead the team: Robert Bolick. 

Bolick is one of the veterans for this Gilas squad and has the most experience with the national team. It was a little more than five years ago when Bolick and CJ Perez made promising debuts in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. After joining Gilas Pilipinas for a few FIBA qualifying windows, Bolick did not play for the Philippine national team until the 2025 SEA Games, when he was instrumental in helping Gilas take down Thailand in the gold medal game. 

Entering this year’s Asian Games, Bolick remains a consistent scorer and playmaker and with more than a handful of PBA seasons’ worth of experience, he has matured. It’s clear he’s become more patient in his offensive approach and it has made the third overall pick in the 2018 PBA Draft a tougher player to guard. The speed and athleticism is still there, but it’s mixed with a more deliberate approach that relies on smarts rather than sheer force. 

Much of these will be what’s required from Bolick in the 2026 Asian Games, but equally important will be his veteran presence and leadership. The 30-year old has faced the highs and lows that come with basketball, whether it was a major injury, having to transfer teams, and even winning championships and individual accolades. How he handled those will be crucial in international competitions such as the Asian Games, where the games are played within a day or two and the need to bounce back in between matchups and even in each possession is important. Bolick is the elder statesman now and how he responds to adversity won’t be lost on his teammates. 

Though Robert Bolick has had underwhelming performances in Gilas Pilipinas’ two tuneup games against the South Korean national team, that’s not something that should raise any alarms. The buildup is meant to expose weaknesses and build momentum for the 2026 Asian Games and Bolick may have flushed out all the bad over the weekend. After all, Bolick wasn’t one to run away from the spotlight; he’s embraced it and soared to greater heights.