By REYNALD MAGALLON
Playing in the PBA has been a long dream for Stephen Holt that he made sure to grab the opportunity when it was made available even if it meant turning down some offers to play overseas.
That dream came into realization when he was picked first overall by Terrafirma in Season 48 PBA Gatorade Rookie Draft at the Market! Market! in Taguig City on Sunday, Sept. 17.
Being able to acquire his Philippine passport just last June along with the PBA removing the age limit for Fil-Foreign hopefuls, Holt said the doors to Asia’s first pay-for-play league opened for him and it was an easy decision to throw his name in the draft.
“The opportunity came about in June for me to get my Philippine passport. I talked with my agent all this time and it was a no-brainer for me to take advantage of that and make the jump over to the PBA,” said the 31-year-old playmaker via Zoom.
“I had to fully commit, turn down a bunch of European offers this summer, and really just want to commit to the PBA for this upcoming year so I’m very excited,” added Holt, who was still in Portland to attend to his wife who had just recently given birth.
Entering the league as a rookie but already boasting rich experience, Holt had stints in big leagues in Europe and in Australia. He also played in the NBA G-League in his pursuit to make it to the NBA.
Yet, despite being already a journeyman, the PBA was really the next big thing for Holt.
“It’s definitely one of my goals in my career to play in the PBA. You know I started out my career trying to pursue my NBA dream. It fell a little bit short but then I was able to have a long career in Europe and played in some high-level leagues,” he added.
Holt’s addition to Terrafirma certainly gave the perennial cellar dweller an immediate contributor which could allow them to at least move up into the team’s standings.
The 6-foot-4 guard, should he live up to expectations, could form a lethal backcourt tandem with Juami Tiongson for Dyip.
“I’m a two-way player. I’m committed on both ends of the floor, defensively and offensively. I’m known for being a shooter. I’m pretty athletic, can rebound, and get to the basket. I’m definitely gonna try and make an impact on and off the floor,” Holt vowed.
