MANILA – Terrafirma Dyip is considering Filipino-American guard Stephen Holt as their top-overall pick in the PBA Season 48 Rookie Draft this Sunday at the Market! Market! in Taguig City.
According to Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel, the 31-year-old Holt is the most talented player in the record 128 rookie aspirants following stints in the NBA G-League and in various parts of Europe and Asia.
“I think in this Rookie Draft, siya talaga ‘yung very talented,” Cardel said in an interview during the PBA Draft Combine. “Nakikita ko ‘yung videos niya. Pinag-aralan ko ‘yung videos niya.”
Holt nearly played in the NBA in 2014 after being signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers for training camp following his impressive stint with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Summer League that year.
The 6-foot-4 combo guard, however, did not last long with the Cavaliers. He was released after a few weeks, which landed him with the Canton Charge in the NBA G-League for one season.
Holt was also a former prospect of Vincent “Chot” Reyes for Gilas Pilipinas but the Filipino-American guard reportedly is not eligible to play as a local as he failed to secure his Philippine passport before he turned 16 years old.
Cardel, however, was unable to see Holt personally after the Filipino-American guard skipped the two-day draft combine due to a family emergency.
“Ok naman si Stephen, we are considering him as our No. 1 overall pick. Pero we’re looking for a big man kasi ‘yun ang kailangan ng team namin, dun kami kulang,” Cardel said.
Among the big men that Cardel is considering from the draft pool were former PBA 3×3 standouts Keith Datu and Brandon Bates, University of the Philippines’ Zavier Lucero, Cade Flores of Arellano University, and Christian David.
“Gusto namin makakuha ng big man sana. Kulang kami sa malaki eh…hopefully, makakita kami,” Cardel said. “May mga nakita naman kaming mga underrated players. Pag-uusapan na lang namin ng coaches kung sino ang kukuhanin.”/PN
