Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Cardel sees Holt as most talented in this year’s class. But is he a lock at 1?


There is zero doubt in the eyes of Terrafirma head coach Johnedel Cardel that Stephen Holt is the most talented player in this year’s PBA draft class.

The seasoned mentor felt convinced after studying videos of the 31-year-old, who’s arguably the most experienced in all of the batch following stints in the G-League and in various parts of Europe and Asia.

“I think in this Rookie Draft, siya talaga ‘yung very talented,” he said. “Nakikita ko ‘yung videos niya. Pinag-aralan ko ‘yung videos niya.”

Formerly a Gilas Pilipinas target, Holt is projected as a potential top pick given his credentials. But is he a lock on Sunday’s proceedings?

FILE-PHOTO-Stephen-Holt Cardel sees Holt as most talented in this year's class. But is he a lock at 1? Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

(c) FIBA.basketball

“OK naman,” said Cardel, whose Dyip own the no. 1 selection in this year’s draft. “Pero, we’re looking for a big man kasi ‘yun ang kailangan ng team namin.”

Cardel dropped by Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday to personally scout the prospects, only to leave wanting more as Holt was not in attendance due to a family emergency.

The 6-foot-4 guard was among the 17 aspirants who missed Day 1 of the Combine, some of whom were big men who could have given the bench tactician a better look to assess their plan of action with the no. 1 pick.

Among the bigs absent were former PBA 3×3 standouts Keith Datu and Brandon Bates, UP’s Zavier Lucero, Cade Flores of Arellano, and Christian David.

UAAP-85-MBB-Finals-G3-ADMU-vs.-UP-Zavier-Lucero-3193 Cardel sees Holt as most talented in this year's class. But is he a lock at 1? Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

“‘Yung iba kasi, wala eh,” lamented Cardel. “Gusto namin makakita ng big man sana. Kulang kami sa malaki eh … hopefully, makakita kami.”

But it wasn’t an empty trip at all for the former player-turned-coach, as he still saw potential diamonds in the rough. Plus, there’s still Day 2 of the Combine on Wednesday, and he hopes that those absent will show up.

#ReadMore  Rey Nambatac out to prove himself in Blackwater

“May mga nakita naman kaming mga underrated player. Pag-uusapan na lang namin ng coaches… Tomorrow meron pa naman. Definitely andito pa rin kami,” he said.

“Then, we will decide after the Combine tomorrow.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos starred as Barangay Ginebra got back at San Miguel, 100-90, to take the 2-1 lead in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup...

Basketball

San Miguel showed that things remain under control despite June Mar Fajardo’s predicament as it evened things out in the PBA Philippine Cup semis...

Basketball

Ginebra wasn’t keen on playing another game and that’s precisely the reason why it refused to waste its win-once quarterfinal incentive. The Kings leaned...

Basketball

Japeth Aguilar and RJ Abarrientos powered Barangay Ginebra to a dominant 97–78 victory over modern-day rival TNT, moving them closer to securing a twice-to-beat...

Bandwagon Wire

What happened to the Terrafirma franchise over the past year now seems to mirror what NorthPort is currently experiencing. Just a year ago, Terrafirma...

Basketball

Ginebra came from behind to beat Magnolia, 85-81, in another thrilling Manila Clasico showdown to throw itself into the Top Four race in the...

Basketball

Japeth Aguilar knocked down the game-winner as Barangay Ginebra withstood the upset-hungry Blackwater, 101-99, for its third straight win in the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

Ginebra found its touch from beyond the arc early and shot down Phoenix, 119-112, to post back-to-back for the first time in the PBA...

Advertisement