MANILA, Philippines – Robert Bolick is ready to assume the leadership mantle in NorthPort, after the Batang Pier traded his mentor, All-Star guard Stanley Pringle.

The rookie guard showed that he was up to the challenge by consistently taking charge for the Batang Pier following Pringle's departure for Ginebra, steering the franchise to its first ever Top 2 finish in the playoffs.

The 23-year-old Bolick guided NorthPort to back-to-back wins over Rain or Shine and Blackwater in the aftermath of the Pringle trade, before they lost a close one to Phoenix.

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In their first three games in the post-Pringle era, Bolick averaged 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

Overall, Bolick normed 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in their six games last June to earn PBA Press Corps Rookie of the Month honors.

The prolific guard out of San Beda University edged out his rival, CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip, for the award.

Perez, last year's No. 1 overall pick, averaged 25.0 points on 55% shooting, along with 7.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.8 steals per game in five games, where Dyip went 2-3.

Also nominated for the monthly honor was Blackwater's Ray Parks, who tallied 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists for the Elite, which went 2-2 in June.

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