STEPHEN Holt has been given the label as an ‘import stopper’ and he tries to live up to that billing each and every game, as much as possible, especially in this finals series against TNT where he is pitted against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
But admittedly, last season’s Rookie of the Year said stopping Hollis-Jefferson isn’t an easy task, and the job has required a collective effort by the entire Barangay Ginebra squad.
“At the end of the day, there’s no secret how much I want to win. Whatever I got to help this team, we made that adjustment in Game Three for me to try to get loose and try to make it difficult for Rondae,” said Holt.
“I know I’ve been called an import stopper but we are not really stopping him. We are just trying to make it difficult. We’ve done a great job these last two games. We have to do it for two more,” said Holt.
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Holt has been thrusted to the role of defending the imports even during his time with Terrafirma in his first year prior to being traded to Barangay Ginebra ahead of the 48th season. The task assigned to him has even more been highlighted especially with head coach Tim Cone’s defensive philosophies.
Having guarded a lot of imports in his young PBA career, Holt said Hollis-Jefferson remains as the most difficult to handle, and as a result of that responsibility especially in the finals, it made him try to raise his game on the defensive end.
“It’s for sure, Rondae,” said Holt when asked by SPIN.ph on who his toughest import to guard is. “We have a mutual respect for each other. It’s great since it elevated my greatness on the defensive end.”
When asked who is next to Hollis-Jefferson on his 'toughest import to guard' list, Holt took a few seconds to ponder before going for an explosive scorer that took the league by storm in the eliminations.
“Probably George King is the next one,” said Holt.
The numbers speaks for themselves as King averaged 40.29 points, 13.14 rebounds, and 4.71 assists in six games with the Bossing. King had a field day in his first game against Barangay Ginebra by scoring 33 points last August 30, but was later limited to 21 in their rematch last September 10.
For now, Holt will have to continue working hard against Hollis-Jefferson in this finals series in order to claim his first PBA championship.
Hollis-Jefferson hasn’t exactly been fully contained in the finals series as the do-it-all import is averaging 27 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks.
“He has forced me to lock in every single possession, individual defense within the team defense. And so it’s a big challenge. Definitely credit to him,” Holt added.
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