PBA: Stephen Holt relishes first semifinals game with Ginebra

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Stephen Holt against San Miguel Beermen defenders during Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra guard Stephen Holt was nothing but ecstatic after having played his first game in a PBA semifinals series.

It certainly helped his mood that his Gin Kings won over San Miguel Beer, 122-105, to get a headstart  in their best-of-seven Governors’ Cup series.

“It’s big time,” said Holt at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.

READ: Ginebra, red-hot Brownlee torch San Miguel to open PBA semis

“Like I’ve been saying, I’m just trying to take these next steps in my career; making the playoffs with Terrafirma, winning my first series with Ginebra and hopefully, we keep advancing.”

Holt played like he has been there before as he dropped a 30-piece with eight rebounds and four assists to match on a blistering 61.1 percent field goal shooting clip.

Holt also played extra motivated because he got what he wanted: prime competition for his first semis series and he surely got it in the form of the mighty Beermen.

“This is what we wanted. We wanted a big-time opponent in San Miguel so hopefully we can finish the job and get three more wins,” he said.”

READ: PBA: Stephen Holt does everything in Ginebra win

“I’m a competitor, I’m a winner, [a win] is all I care about. That’s what I tell guys every single interview. I just do everything I can to help the team win offensively and defensively.”

Holt and the Gin Kings took advantage of a weary San Miguel team which just finished its quarterfinals series with Converge after five games and competed in the EASL in the middle of that.

And while the Beermen were deep into the action, Ginebra was resting after sweeping Meralco in three games.