Terrafirma Dyip has taken Stephen Holt as the No. 1 pick in the Draft. Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) — Terrafirma Dyip is banking on Stephen Holt as one of the cornerstones of their franchise.
This, after the Dyip selected Holt as the top overall pick in the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday afternoon at the Market! Market! in Taguig.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Holt has experience that spans over the NBA G League, NBL Australia, Spain, and other overseas leagues.
“It is definitely one of my goals in my career to play in the PBA,” said Holt via video call as he is currently out of the country.
“I’m a two-way player and committed to [playing on] both ends of the floor. I’m definitely gonna try to make an impact on the floor and hopefully, we get a good season,” he added.
The 31-year-old Filipino-American hooper also went to St. Mary’s during his collegiate career.
Barring any setbacks or trades, Holt is expected to suit up for the Johnedel Cardel-led squad in the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup which will start on November 5.
Meanwhile, Blackwater Elite took the 6-foot-6 guard Christian David as the second overall pick of the draft.
He previously donned Butler University’s colors in the US NCAA Division I, and even briefly joined the Seoul Samsung Thunders in the Korean Basketball League.
On the other hand, head coach Yeng Guiao was keen on transitioning into a younger Rain Or Shine ElastoPainters frontline after taking Luis Villegas and Keith Datu as their picks in the first round.
The 6-foot-7 Villegas was the squad’s third overall pick, while the 6-foot-8 Datu, who was previously with Wilcon Depot in the PBA 3x3, was their fourth overall pick.
Completing the top five was former UP Fighting Maroon big man Zav Lucero, with the 6-foot-6 UAAP Champion being drafted by Northport Batang Pier as the fifth overall pick.
Another former UAAP standout was the sixth pick, with Phoenix taking the 6-foot-4 shooter Ken Tuffin, who was formerly with the FEU Tamaraws.
NLEX’s Richard Rodger was the seventh overall pick, Meralco’s Brandon Bates was the eighth overall pick, Converge’s Schonny Winston and BJ Andrade were ninth and 10th, respectively, Northport’s Cade Flores was at 11th, and TJ Miller of Terrafirma was the 12th and last pick of the first round.
See the rest of the draftees here: