Photo from Stephen Holt’s Instagram
MANILA, Philippines–Stephen Holt finally agreed on a two-year deal to play for Terrafirma in the upcoming PBA season, more than two weeks after being selected as the top overall pick in the Rookie Draft.
Team governor Bobby Rosales and coach Johnedel Cardel both confirmed Wednesday the agreement after the two sides spent days following the draft working on finding common ground.
Cardel said that the Fil-American guard could arrive as early as this week, declaring Holt as “ready to go.”
Terrafirma went with the 31-year-old Holt, who expressed his desire to take his talents to the PBA after spending time in Europe and Australia.
Stephen Holt (not present) is the No. 1 overall pick by Terrafirma in the 2023 PBA Draft. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Dyip did ponder on the possibility of filling their need for a big man, but eventually decided on not passing up on Holt.
Holt is considered as someone who can make an immediate impact, even being compared to Barangay Ginebra’s Stanley Pringle and TNT’s Mikey Williams.
His addition could also provide additional support for Terrafirma main guard Juami Tiongson.
Terrafirma did get its frontline need when it drafted former Japan B.League cager Kemark Carino, who was signed to a two-year contract last week.
Former Letran guard Tommy Olivario, taken in the fourth round, also inked a rookie deal with the Dyip.