PBA: Stephen Holt says Ginebra run ‘testament to culture’

Stephen Holt will get his first shot at the title in the PBA with Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Started from the bottom and now Ginebra is back in the finals.

And Stephen Holt just couldn’t help but reference Drake’s popular hit song “Started from the Bottom” that aged like fine wine since its 2013 release.

“We were a new group, we had to build our chemistry,” said Holt after reaching his first PBA Finals with the Gin Kings, who eliminated San Miguel in six games in the semifinals.

“We really started from the bottom. No pun intended to that Drake song,” he added.

PBA Finals schedule: Ginebra Gin Kings vs TNT Tropang Giga

Before the season began, Ginebra had to make do without core players Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray due to injury.

Then the Gin Kings traded their reliable big Christian Standhardinger and rotational guard Stanley Pringle to Terrafirma for Holt, Isaac Go and the 2024 third overall pick, which turned out to be Abarrientos.

It basically a new squad that had to live up to the expectations of being a powerhouse team.

And as that Drake song said, this squad “didn’t like to do too much explaining.”

They let their actions speak instead.

READ: PBA: Stephen Holt relishes first semifinals game with Ginebra

“We dropped our first game to Rain or Shine, lost to Blackwater early on but at the end of the day we just kept working, trusting the process and knew that those step backs would help us when it matters most in the playoffs and you saw it,” said Holt.

Even with those early losses, the Gin Kings clawed their way to the upper echelon of Group B, eventually running through the competition to set up another date with TNT for the Governors’ Cup.

From underdogs to finalists, Holt fit in the system of coach Tim Cone and it resulted in another Finals appearance for the multi-titled franchise.

“It’s just a testament to this culture. That’s why I fit in so well. Winning or losing, we all work hard. We just wanted to reach the Finals and the fact that we’re finally in this position, it’s time to finish the job.”