Is Holt good as advertised?

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WILL Stephen Holt, this year’s No. 1 pick overall, prove to be good as advertised?

That will be known when Holt and the Terrafirma Dyip kick off their drive against the NorthPort Batang Pier today in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The curtain-raiser is set at 4 p.m., with the Johnedel Cardel-mentored Terrafirma quintet raring to begin its campaign on a high.

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NLEX and Phoenix collide in the nightcap at 8.

“Rookie veteran ito. Sa mga tune-up games namin, practices, hindi ko nakikitang na-pe-pressure siya,” Cardel said of Holt, a 6-foot-4 guard who turns 32 next month and has suited up both in the NBA G-League as well as Europe after showing his worth for St. Mary’s in the United States NCAA Division I.

“Hindi siya matakaw sa puntos, team player and he wants to get all his teammates involved pero kapag kailangang umiskor, titira,” he added.

Holt was tabbed first overall by the Dyip in the annual pro league Draft last September.

Like Terrafirma, NorthPort also wants nothing but a fast start in the season-opening tourney.

But the Batang Pier will have to make do without forward Will Navarro and fifth selection Zavier Lucero, both recovering from ACL injuries.

“The game is a chance for us to set the tone for the conference,” Batang Pier tactician Bonnie Tan said. “Though we’ll feel the absence of (Will) Navarro and (Zavier) Lucero, I have confidence in the team’s collective effort. It is a challenge, but we are positive about our prospects.”

Cardel is convinced the Dyip have what it takes.

“Medyo kailangang makauna. Kailangan maumpisahan namin ng maganda and ma-sustain namin up to the final quarter,” Cardel said.

“Sa prina-practice naman namin enough na dahilan para maging positive kami. Medyo pulido na kami. We have a good import, iyong mga bagong players at home na, alam na nila mga dapat nilang gawin.”

Aside from Holt, the likes of Belgian import Thomas De Thaey, Juami Tiongson, Andreas Cahilig, Eric Camson, Isaac Go, and another freshman in Kemark Cariño will be counted upon by Terrafirma to deliver.

Australian reinforcement Venky Jois will bolster NorthPort along with Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon, JM Calma, and veteran Jeff Chan.

The Road Warriors will parade NBA journeyman Thomas Robinson, who was picked No. 5 overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2012.

 

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