PBA: Stephen Holt, sabik na makakuha ng kanyang unang panalo sa PBA championship

Sa Linggo, October 27, magbabangaan na at magpapakita ng palakasan ng opensa at pahigpitan ng depensa ang Barangay Ginebra at TNT tropang Giga sa Game 1 ng  pagpapatuloy ng PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals. 

Sabik si Stephen Holt na makuha ang unang panalo sa PBA Championship sa pagsisimula ng finals kontra Tropang Giga. Noong 2017 pa kasi ang huling kampeonato ni si Holt noong ito ay nasa Czech League pa. Umaasa din ito at ang kanyang koponan ay makakakuha ng headstart sa best-of-seven series.

“It’s crazy. I’ve been so close in Europe to winning a championship. I’m still hungry. Last championship was in 2017 so it’s been a long time,” ani Holt. 

“I know what this culture is about, putting the Ginebra jersey on and what it means to the fans. Now that we have this opportunity — we never know how many more we’ll be in the Finals or be in this opportunity — like I said, we have to enjoy it tonight but again we have to prepare and get ready for Game 1," dagdag pa ni Holt. 

Naniniwala din Holt na hindi magiging madali para sa kanya na makamit ang unang PBA trophy sa season na ito dahil sa talento na meron ang kanilang makakatunggali.

Total team effort naman ang gagawin nila para malimitahan ang efficiency ng kanilang kalaban lalo na si Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. 

“It’s gonna be a total team effort. He’s a great player. You can't stop him. You Just have to limit his touches, make every shot difficult and gang rebound. It's gonna be a tough task but we’re very excited. Hopefully we can take this next step on our journey and come out with a great performance on Sunday,” pagtatapos ni Holt. 

Samantala, naging inspirasyon naman ng Gin Kings ang naging pagkatalo nila sa nakaraang Philippine Cup kung saan nabigo silang manalo kontra Meralco Bolts. 

“The last time we were in this semis, we led 3-2, and then we let Game 6 slip away from us and went on to lose Game 7. That (Meralco) team won the championship. No doubt that was on our mind coming to this Game 6,” sabi ni Coach Tim Cone. 

Matatandaang pinataob ng Gin Kings ang ang Beermen sa iskor na 102-99 sa Game 6 ng semis series noong nakaraang Linggo para matiyak na ang slot para sa Finals.

“We certainly didn’t want to play a Game 7, and play a team like San Miguel Beer. We’re just like putting all our eggs in one basket and going forth and were just happy we’re back in the Finals,” dagdag pa ni Cone.