Stephen Holt continued to shoot well from deep on Saturday night in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s 111-103 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip at Ynares Center in Montalban.
In fact, it was Holt’s 4-for-4 shooting from downtown in the third quarter that catalyzed Ginebra’s fiery breakaway after intermission—where they built a 23-point lead en route to the win.
Stephen Holt Settling Into His Natural Role
For Ginebra coach Tim Cone, Stephen Holt is playing well in this PBA Commissioner’s Cup because he’s finally playing a role he is most comfortable with: 3-and-D.
“I think the key with Stephen is that he’s playing a role that is very comfortable for him. During the All-Filipino, we kind of wanted more in terms of being able to handle the ball, being able to attack the rim, be more of a creator,” Cone told reporters after Ginebra chalked up its fifth win of the conference. “That’s not really what his game is all about. He is an absolute great three-and-D guy—and he’s been raised that way to be a three-and-D guy.”
Indeed, Holt has been superb in that role, shooting a blistering 52.8% from downtown and making nearly three triples a game on five attempts. He’s also defending opposing scorers, like Terrafirma’s Jerrick Ahanmisi on Saturday.
Justin Brownlee, RJ Abarrientos Key to Stephen Holt’s Resurgence
Part of the reason Stephen Holt is able to focus on his 3-and-D role, according to Cone, is having Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos—Ginebra’s top two scorers this conference so far—take point in the shot creation department.
“He’s a great spot-up, spreads the floor really well,” Cone said of Holt. “So, when we have a guy like Justin, and then with the way that RJ is also playing, the creativity that those two guys are able to put to the team opens it up for Stephen to play the role that he’s very comfortable with. And so right now, he’s just really comfortable playing that role.”
Yes, Stephen Holt is looking more comfortable now—and for a team with championship aspirations, that is certainly good news.
