Top rookie showing real worth

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AFTER an underwhelming first conference, Terrafirma’s top pick overall, Stephen Holt, is finally showing he has what it takes.

The Fil-Am Holt is proving to be a key piece in the Dyip’s 2-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup, including a 99-95 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors last Sunday.

“Down the stretch, we just had to make plays and try to set up our defense where we wanted to. Defensively, we just wanted to make it tough for (Robert) Bolick,” Holt said.

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“Credit to our guys. We got the stop when we needed to and I couldn’t be prouder of my team right now,” he added.

The 6-foot-4 guard notched 17 points against the Road Warriors–a fitting follow-up to a double-double of 27 markers and 10 rebounds in Terrafirma’s 107-99 win over Meralco four days ago.

Holt promptly downplayed his impressive efforts in the Dyip’s first two games, insisting winning is all that matters.

“It just means we’re 2 and O and that’s the most important thing for me,” Holt said.

“I’ve always said stats never matter at all. It’s all about winning and improvement and being a positive influence on the offensive and defensive end.”

Terrafirma is working doubly hard in its bid to surpass its 2-9 campaign for 10th in the 12-team field in the last Commissioner’s Cup.

“The work we put into practice is no joke as to why we won these two games. We’ve been working super hard,” he said.

“Credit to coach and the coaching staff and the players for buying in. We want to be great in this conference.”

Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel is on the same page with his prized ward and warned his squad not to fall into the traps of complacency.

“Hindi namin iniisip na may dalawang panalo na kami, kasi baka mag-relax,” Cardel said.

“So, every game kailangan 1-0, 1-0, hanggang sa makuha namin iyong goal namin, (which is) to go into the quarterfinals. Lahat ng team, lumalakas. Kaya every game is very important to us.

“We have to play together. This time, I think, they believe kapag nagtutulong-tulong sila, lalo na sa depensa, we can win ball games more. More than two.”

Holt had the same thoughts, saying: “We’re 2 and 0, but we just got to keep building.”

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