For most of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Stephen Holt’s contributions could not be measured by points.
His defensive assignments, floor spacing, and ability to fit seamlessly into Barangay Ginebra’s system rarely showed up in the box score. Through the first two games against TNT, Holt managed just a single point, yet remained a fixture in coach Tim Cone’s rotation.
That changed dramatically in Game 3.
Holt erupted for 23 points and provided the early spark that helped Ginebra seize control en route to a convincing 116-102 victory, giving the Gin Kings a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
For teammate RJ Abarrientos, the performance was less of a surprise and more of a reminder of what makes Ginebra dangerous.
“Si Scuba, (Stephen Holt’s nickname in the team), isa sa mga beterano namin. Isa sa mga go-to-guy namin ‘yan,” said Abarrientos.
“Ang nakikita lang kasi ng tao siyempre ‘yung mga stats eh. About Scuba, sa loob ng court, ang laking factor ‘yun sa amin. Kita niyo naman. Hindi kami pinahiya sa first quarter. Siya ‘yung spark plug, siya nag-start ng offense namin.
“Dahan-dahan, nakuha na namin lahat ng tira namin. Sobrang nakita namin ‘yung Scuba na kailangan namin ngayong Game 3.”
In many ways, Holt’s explosion reflected the identity Ginebra has embraced throughout the conference.
Unlike teams that rely heavily on one or two scorers, the Gin Kings have built a roster where different players can carry the offense depending on the matchup and the flow of the game.
Earlier in the Finals, Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, and Abarrientos himself all had moments where they shouldered the scoring load. Game 3 simply became Holt’s turn.
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Stephen Holt after stepping up in Ginebra’s Game 3 win last night #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/batJETnR6x
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 8, 2026
According to Abarrientos, it was only a matter of time.
“Siya talaga ‘yung hinihintay namin. Nagsimula nung dumating sila sa Ginebra, sila ‘yung pinaka go-to namin. Hindi na kami nagulat na ganun ‘yung gagawin niya sa team,” said Abarrientos.
The timing could not have been better.
Facing a TNT squad determined to reclaim momentum after its Game 2 victory, Ginebra needed another offensive option to complement Brownlee and prevent the Tropang 5G defense from focusing on a single player.
Holt delivered exactly that, helping the Kings build a massive early lead that ultimately proved too much for TNT to overcome.
More importantly, his breakout reinforced what Abarrientos views as the team’s greatest advantage heading deeper into the Finals.
“‘Yun ‘yung maganda sa sistema namin with Ginebra. Hindi mo alam kung sino ang iiskor sa amin. Hindi rin about sa stats eh. After the game, stats lagi ‘yung tinitignan. (Game 3) si Scuba, si Scottie, lahat kami, JB, kahit sino ilagay mo,” said Abarrientos.
With Game 4 looming and TNT expected to make another round of adjustments, Ginebra enters the pivotal contest knowing it possesses something every championship contender covets: multiple players capable of becoming the difference-maker on any given night.
In Game 3, that player happened to be Stephen Holt. The challenge for TNT now is figuring out who it will be next.
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