American student-athlete Dioncee Holts is currently in a slump.
Holts was an enigma when he entered the NCAA in 2014. The American was different from the rest of the FSA field, as he relied on his sweet shooting in contrast to the power-based game of the other FSA’s of his time.
The NCAA Season 90 rookie of the year was the second leading scorer of the Arellano University Chiefs last season with norms of 12.44 points on 43 percent shooting from distance, 7.72 rebounds, and 1.56 blocks.
This year, Holts’ shooting has gone sour.
The 24-year-old stretch big man was visibly out of shape during the pre-season. Slowly, he has worked his way into game form six games into the season, but his play has yet to show.
His averages have dipped significantly as well. He is currently posting norms of 6.17 points and 4.67 boards. In addition, he has yet to convert a triple.
After Holts posted a season-low of just a solitary point in Arellano’s win over EAC, head coach Jerry Codinera lamented the fact that his team does not have the luxury of a dominant big man like the other teams do.
“We have our own weaknesses. Si Salado and Jalalon marked men na,” he shared.
“Others have to provide contributions to us. Kahit defense or offense for us to be more potent.”
EAC’s Hamadou Laminou scored 23 points in Arellano’s win against the Generals. He was 10/19 from the field and swatted away 3 shots
“The other teams have imports who can score day in and day out, kahit may sakit or injury,” he furthered.
“Laminou, 20 and 10. Tankoua, 20 and 10. Wala kaming ganun. Sad to say. We depend too much on the team concept.”
Codinera then shared that the foreign student-athlete is going through “personal problems” that has affected his play.
“Distractions. Personal distractions. Outside. Marami masyadong issues yung bata sa sarili niya,” the mentor said. “Sa team namin na-mamanage namin pero sa personal talaga.”
With 14 games still remaining in the elimination round, the PBA legend is hoping that Holts can get over this hump as soon as possible.
“Kelangan talaga naman siya. Kapag hindi namin siya ma-maximize, baka mahirapan pa kami sa Final Four,” he closed.
“Yung backcourt namin we can rotate five to six guys pero sa bigs hindi ganun kalalim.”
