Jordan Tolbert regrets the missed opportunity of playing with Robert Bolick with the Taichung Suns in the T1 League in Taiwan.
Tolbert, who was supposed to reinforce Rain or Shine in the crucial stretch of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup but exceeded the height limit, said Bolick, who was set to suit up for the Suns if not for his existing contract with NorthPort.
Coached by former Elasto Painters mentor Chris Gavina, the Suns made a serious run at Bolick but the Batang Pier refused to yield his rights and, instead, offered him a short-term deal that will last until the end of the ongoing 47th season.
Bolick signed the deal and agreed to return to play in the season-ending conference after skipping the Batang Pier’s first few games due to contract negotiations.
“He nearly played for us,” Tolbert said in a chat with Daily Tribune” on the sidelines of the NorthPort-Magnolia match late Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“He was already there in Taiwan talking to the management. I don’t know why he didn’t push through.”
Tolbert, who was supposed to be the Painters’ fourth import replacing the injured Greg Smith, said he was aching for the opportunity to play in the PBA where he will get a chance to reconnect with some of the familiar faces.
Among those familiar names are KJ McDaniels, who played for the Formosa Taishin Dreamers in the East Asia Super League before seeing action for Meralco.
“He was also set to play in Taiwan, but got injured,” Tolbert, also an author of the book and host of the podcast named Catch You on the Rebound, said, adding that Gabe Norwood’s brother, Jordan, is also his good friend.
Tolbert added that this will definitely not be the last time he will step foot on the PBA.
And hopefully, he will be displaying his talent inside the playing court.
