IT took exactly 284 days before Stephen Holt finally played against his former team Terrafirma.
On Wednesday, Holt had 10 points and three rebounds in Barangay Ginebra’s 101-80 win – his first against Terrafirma since he was traded to the Gin Kings before the start of the 49th season last July 13, 2024.
READ: Japeth dominates Terrafirma to lead Ginebra to first PH Cup win
It was the first time because during the Governors’ Cup, Barangay Ginebra and Terrafirma didn’t face each other, being in separate groups. Under the tournament format of that conference, only teams in the same group play against each other in the eliminations.
Then, Holt sustained a knee injury and missed the December 18 showdown between the Gins and the Dyip.
Holt said he will forever be grateful to Terrafirma, the team that got him the Rookie of the Year honors during the 2023-24 season. And even though some of his former teammates are no longer there, he still feels a sense of brotherhood with the squad.
“It’s a lot of emotion,” said Holt to SPIN.ph. “Obviously, we chased so much success last season. It’s a brotherhood. Obviously, they had a lot of turnover with free agency, trades, and draft picks and stuff. But familiar faces. Obviously, same coaches. But it’s good getting to play against them.”
Holt said he has been waiting to play against Terrafirma, and it was unfortunate that he didn’t get a chance last conference.
“I hurt my knee in the Eastern game unfortunately. Bone bruises. That’s why I missed that first game against Terrafirma. It’s always good to get that first one out of the system. Some emotion and some intensity I want to bring to the game. I’m happy that we got the win,” said Holt.
Terrafirma selected Holt at No. 1 in the Season 48 draft in September 2023. Together with Juami Tiongson and Isaac Go, Holt helped the Dyip in an unlikely run where they reached the playoffs of the 2024 Philippine Cup for only the second time in franchise history.
As the No. 8 seed, Terrafirma forced a knockout game before eventually being ousted by top-seed San Miguel.
Even though he is now with Barangay Ginebra, the 33-year-old Holt will forever remember that run that Terrafirma had during last season’s Philippine Cup.
“The things that we built last season is going to last a lifetime. The way we worked. 1 to 16, our work ethic was amazing. We proved that on the court with the results, making the playoffs for the first time in a long while with them, able to beat San Miguel in that first game.”
“I enjoyed my time with them. We achieved a lot last season. But I’ve got to flip the page,” Holt added.
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