STEPHEN Holt’s buzzer-beating three-pointer against Converge that sent Barangay Ginebra into the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup semifinals is right up there among the biggest shots he has hit in his career.
Ironically, Holt wasn’t playing his best basketball up until that point.
The second-year Fil-American guard was only shooting 1-of-7 from three-point distance prior to that game-winner, which should explain why he wasn’t even the first option to take the shot in the last possession of overtime.
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“The play was designed obviously for RJ," said Holt, referring to RJ Abarrientos being the primary option. “We want to give him a good look, didn’t work out.”
“Second option was for me to come off a pick-and-roll. And again, I just wanted to execute whatever the game presented to me.”
Prior to the game-winner, Holt nearly cost Ginebra the game when he got lost in a Juan Gomez de Liano crossover and, worse, fouled him in the final seconds of regulation that led to a three-point play, allowing Converge to grab an 84-83 lead.
A confluence of incidents capped by Alec Stockton's costly foul enabled Ginebra to stay alive and force overtime on three free throws by Jeremiah Gray. Holt completed the job in the final play of overtime.
“That’s probably one of the bigger shots in my career,” said Holt, who finished the game with nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
“It’s pretty clear, I was struggling on both ends of the floor. But I love my guys. They continue to give me confidence and when I had my moment, I knew I had to step up,” said Holt.
In the final moments, Abarrientos found himself having to deal with Justine Baltazar and his long reach, so he issued a pass to Holt who faked off MJ Garcia before delivering the game-winner to the delight of the Ginebra fans.
After the three went in, Holt was mobbed by his teammates that included Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, who were no longer on the floor for the buzzer-beater due to six fouls.
“I just wanted to execute whatever the game presented to me. I was struggling all game, but I want to step up for my team,” said Holt.
“I felt like we deserve this. We showed so much heart with people fouling out, going into overtime and players playing extended minutes," said the Fil-Am guard. "That’s true NSD spirit. I love my guys."
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