Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) PBA Images

Basketball

Stephen Holt’s first semis trip with Ginebra: ‘It’s big-time for my career’


Stephen Holt showed how much he’s embraced the winning culture that Ginebra has long built following an impactful showing that enabled the crowd darlings to advance in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup playoffs on Monday.

Last season’s Rookie of the Year delivered 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists to help the Barangay sweep their way into the semifinals by way of a 113-106 win over rivals Meralco in Game 3 of their quarterfinal series.

“We did our job tonight,” he said after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “Gotta keep grinding, keep learning, and I like where we’re headed.

It will be Holt’s first semis trip, something that he’s extremely excited about as it happened in only his maiden conference with the perennial contenders.

“It’s big-time for my career,” said the 32-year-old guard, who began his pro career with the Canton Charge of the NBA G League in 2014.

This gives him a chance to compete at an even higher level, especially coming from a team like Terrafirma where the target is as simple as reaching the playoffs — something which they accomplished in his rookie year.

For starters, Holt and the Dyip reached the 2024 Philippine Cup quarters, ending an eight-year playoff drought before bowing to San Miguel.

That is already an achievement for a team that’s usually on the bottom of the standings. Holt himself is glad to have been part of history, but his priorities changed, too, the moment he officially became a Gin King.

“I mean, the goal last season with Terrafirma was just about making the playoffs. And so, once I learned about the trade, coming to Ginebra, now the goals are obviously different,” said the athlete from Portland, Oregon.

#ReadMore  5-9 big Manuel signs with Taguig Lady Generals

And Monday night was further proof that he’s taken as much to heart, leading as well to a noteworthy performance that left the Barangay glad.

“It’s not just about making the playoffs. It’s about making it to the Final Four, and getting to the championship,” Holt said.

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

June Mar Fajardo allayed fears of his injury worsening after hurting his leg early in San Miguel’s eventual win over Barangay Ginebra in the...

Basketball

Winning a rare PBA Grand Slam won’t be the only history Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser that could achieve should he and TNT succeed in their bid,...

Basketball

LA Tenorio’s game-winning three in Game 6 stung Jericho Cruz so badly that he went sleepless trying to process what happened. The shot happened...

Basketball

Seeing LA Tenorio’s exploits to will Ginebra past San Miguel in Game 6 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semis battle lit a...

Basketball

No trilogy is taking place in the PBA Season 49, as San Miguel tore up the script by ousting Barangay Ginebra, 100-93, to advance...

Basketball

A change of direction taken by the Korean Basketball League (KBL) team, his camp had spoken to ended Adrian Nocum’s hopes of taking his...

Basketball

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is keeping their options open as the team looks for possible upgrades following another PBA semifinal exit....

Basketball

Despite everything that came its way, TNT is marching on to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals after showing Rain or Shine the...

Advertisement