Stephen Holt relishes first semis game with Ginebra


Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Stephen Holt against San Miguel Beermen defenders during Game 1 of the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals.

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Stephen Holt against San Miguel Beermen defenders during Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra guard Stephen Holt was nothing but ecstatic after having played his first game in a PBA semifinals series.

It certainly helped his mood that his Gin Kings won over San Miguel Beer, 122-105, to get a headstart  in their best-of-seven Governors’ Cup series.

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“It’s big time,” said Holt at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.

READ: Ginebra, red-hot Brownlee torch San Miguel to open PBA semis

“Like I’ve been saying, I’m just trying to take these next steps in my career; making the playoffs with Terrafirma, winning my first series with Ginebra and hopefully, we keep advancing.”

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Holt played like he has been there before as he dropped a 30-piece with eight rebounds and four assists to match on a blistering 61.1 percent field goal shooting clip.

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Holt also played extra motivated because he got what he wanted: prime competition for his first semis series and he surely got it in the form of the mighty Beermen.

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“This is what we wanted. We wanted a big-time opponent in San Miguel so hopefully we can finish the job and get three more wins,” he said.”

READ: PBA: Stephen Holt does everything in Ginebra win

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“I’m a competitor, I’m a winner, [a win] is all I care about. That’s what I tell guys every single interview. I just do everything I can to help the team win offensively and defensively.”

Holt and the Gin Kings took advantage of a weary San Miguel team which just finished its quarterfinals series with Converge after five games and competed in the EASL in the middle of that.



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And while the Beermen were deep into the action, Ginebra was resting after sweeping Meralco in three games.