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.
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.
