Top pick Stephen Holt unfazed by shooting struggles in PBA debut

MANILA, Philippines – Top pick Stephen Holt will not lose sleep over his shooting woes in his PBA debut.

Holt failed to hit the mark and finished with 11 points on a paltry 2-of-9 clip as Terrafirma absorbed a 108-103 loss to NorthPort to kick off its Commissioner’s Cup campaign on Friday, November 10.

An experienced player who saw action in the NBA G League, National Basketball League in Australia, and in various leagues all over Europe, the 6-foot-4 Holt fired blanks, missing all of his five attempts from beyond the arc.

But Holt believes he will soon rediscover his touch.

“I know the spotlight is on me, being the first pick and there are certain expectations that are put on our group. I’m still going to embrace that,” said Holt.

“It is just one loss. I thought I had a pretty good preseason. I got better every single game, had high-scoring games, so I’m not going to let this one game affect me. I’m known as a shooter, I put in work my whole entire career.”

Holt made up for his shooting struggles by making his presence felt in the other departments.

The 31-year-old guard also posted 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals against just 1 turnover in a team-leading 38 minutes of action.

“I just wanted to do a little bit of everything, gets steals, rebounds, assists. I was able to get to the free throw line. Tonight, my shot did not fall,” said Holt.

“I’m just trying to feel it out with the team, just got to be a little more aggressive.”

The loss marked the seventh straight time the Dyip lost their conference opener as they absorbed their eighth consecutive defeat dating back to the Governors’ Cup last season.

But Holt, a nine-year professional who has gotten used to the highs and lows of a basketball season, said Terrafirma should not be discouraged.

“Just one loss, we cannot put our heads down. It is a long season,” said Holt. “We just got to keep working hard and I know we will.” – Rappler.com