Stephen Holt dropped 20 points in the third period of Ginebra’s first win over NLEX in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Stephen Holt put on a stoic face as he faced reporters at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
His facial expression did not reflect his fiery performance for Ginebra Wednesday night, Dec. 11, where he spearheaded the crowd darling's assault en route to a 109-100 win over NLEX in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Holt anchored a pivotal third quarter for the Gin Kings where he accounted for 20 of the team's superior 36-point output. In contrast, the Hotshots only shot 23, enabling Ginebra to build the separation after a close battle in the first half.
“They did a great job of finding me,” said Holt after the match, referring to his teammates.
During a stretch late in the third period, the 33-year-old cager dropped 11 straight points to give the Gin Kings a 74-60 lead.
The Road Warriors trimmed the gap to 76-83 in the fourth period after Kevin Alas swished a trey.
But that was the closest the NLEX could get as Ginebra responded with a 7-to-nothing run to stretch its advantage back to 14 points, 90-76.
Justin Brownlee turned in 24 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, while Japeth Aguilar and Mav Ahanmisi had 15 and 13 points, respectively.
“We had a good shooting night that makes up for a lot of execution mistakes,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, whose team shot over 61 percent from the three-point line at 13-for-21.
Thus, the Gin Kings halted the Road Warriors’ three-game winning streak.
Mike Watkins paced NLEX with 27 points and 21 rebounds while Robert Bolick was held to 18 points after a 39-point explosion against San Miguel the last time out. Bolick also had seven assists.
Alas scored 14 in his third game back with the Road Warriors.
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The Scores:
GINEBRA 109 – Holt 26, Brownlee 24, J.Aguilar 15, Ahanmisi 13, Rosario 9, Thompson 8, Abarrientos 6, Cu 6, Adamos 2, Pinto 0.
NLEX 100 – Watkins 27, Bolick 18, Alas 14, Policarpio 13, Valdez 11, Torres 5, Semerad 4, Herndon 4, Rodger 2, Bahio 2, Mocon 0.
Quarterscores: 20-22, 42-43, 78-66, 109-100