Bolick marked man as Lions face Bombers

San Beda hopes to ride on Robert Bolick’s hot hands anew as it faces struggling Jose Rizal U today even as Perpetual Help eyes a share of third against Arellano U in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Bolick torched the AU Chiefs with 37 second half points on his way to posting the league’s second highest individual score of 50 next to the late Lim Eng Beng’s 55 in 1974. The victory hiked the Red Lions’ card to 7-1 for second behind unbeaten Lyceum of the Phl U (9-0).

That should make the defending back-to-back champions the favorites in their 4 p.m. duel with the Bombers, down in the standings with a 2-6 mark.

“I hope he (Bolick) can score 50 points every game because it will mean a win for us each time,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, referring to his top gun, who is expected to draw most of JRU’s defense in anticipation of another explosive outing.

“I’m sure they will make sure to stop me or slow me down. But I will still try to my best to help my team in any way I can,” said Bolick.

The Altas, meanwhile, seek to regain their place inside the magic four following a setback as they tangle with the Chiefs (3-5) at 2 p.m.

The Altas fell to the St. Benilde Blazers, 77-84. The loss dropped the former from solo third to fifth with a 5-3 slate.