John Holland tried to take matters into his own hands late in San Miguel’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal clash versus rivals and known tormentors Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Sunday evening.
The former NBA cager first sank his freebies calmly with 57.1 seconds remaining to cut the Gin Kings’ lead to just a point, 97-98. Then, moments later, he tried to give the Beermen the lead.
Holland tried to attack the Barangay’s defense with less than 30 ticks to go. Unfortunately, his decision left some people questioning — Holland apparently didn’t know that he was in a one-on-four situation.
He then collided with Japeth Aguilar, and the ball sailed out of bounds. After reviews, Holland committed a turnover, and possession went to the crowd darlings with 25.3 seconds left.
San Miguel then fouled Stanley Pringle to freeze the clock and the latter made both of his shots to widen Ginebra’s lead. The Beermen could not buy a basket after and bowed, 97-100.
Holland — who finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in 48 minutes — could only regret afterward.
“It’s a tough loss. I made some mistakes. It’s one of those things that you, like — you wish you could have it back,” he said.
“I just lost the ball. It’s basketball. I take responsibility. I just lost the ball, and it cost us the game,” he added.
“It’s just one of those plays, you know, I gotta make it, but didn’t do it. It’s on me.”
Holland’s stint with San Miguel was ultimately a fruitless one. In the three games he played, he never tasted a win. And the third defeat he suffered meant the end of the Beermen’s run this season.
It also meant the crushing end of their Grand Slam aspirations — their second bid in three seasons.
Still, the 31-year-old — who was brought in to take the place of the injured Dez Wells — remains grateful for the time he had with the league’s winningest team regardless of how it turned out.
“I really appreciate all my teammates for kinda helping me through this. It’s not easy to come in the middle of the season and come and play. It’s definitely an experience,” he said.
“I’m gonna take this with me for the rest of my life. I enjoy my first time in the Philippines. It’s a really amazing experience just to be here. It’s really like a great experience,” he continued.
“I’mma take it with me. It didn’t turn out the way I would have hoped, planned it. But that’s basketball, that’s life. San Miguel will be here forever. I’m happy to be a little bit part of it.”
