PBA Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt pays homage to his Kapampangan grandma, his Apu Isabel, in time for National Grandparents' Day on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Growing up, PBA Season 48 Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt found a cheerleader in his late grandmother, his Apu Isabel, who supported him in his passion for basketball.
Holt, in an exclusive chat with One Sports, remembered how she used to watch him play, whether it be in the venue when he was in secondary school in Jesuit High School in Portland or on television when he moved up to college in NCAA Division 1 school, St. Mary's in California.
"She loved basketball. She supported me all through high school, college. [In college,] a lot of my games were on ESPN, so she got to see me on TV a lot. That was pretty cool," recalled Holt, former Terrafirma star who is now strutting his wares with fan favorite team, Ginebra.
Stephen Holt: "Family means everything to me. That was the way I was raised" | Photo courtesy of Holt
His Apu Isabel was born in Angeles City, Pampanga and immigrated to the US when she was 19 years old. Holt was born in Portland, Oregon.
"She was based in Portland, so in high school, she comes in all of my games. In college, I played at St. Mary's. At least half of our games were on TV, so she was able to watch the games that way on TV. She loved doing that," he elaborated.
Holt shared that while he was not able to meet his grandfather as his mother lost him at an early age, he had a great relationship with his grandmother, who used to watch over him when his parents were out working.
"Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away when my mom was in sixth grade, so I did not get a chance to meet him. But my Apu (Kapampangan for grandmother), she was able to watch me growing up as a babysitter. So, I was rarely in daycare when my parents were working. We had a great relationship," said Holt.
He later lost his grandmother too, but the support he has given her will always be with him, serving as a driving force that pushes him to work hard as he strives for greater heights in his career.
"She loved the game. I know she is watching down from heaven right now. She's super proud of me, so I just got to keep grinding, keep working and, hopefully, I can finish the season strong," said Holt.
Holt knows in his heart how proud his Apu must be, she who now watches him from heaven, as he connects with his Filipino roots as he plays for the PBA.
"I know she is in heaven watching down and super proud that I'm finally in the Philippines, getting repped through the country and playing in a great league," said Holt.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad and Jan Ballesteros/One Sports)