MANILA, Philippines- Stephen Holt delivered a game-winning shot on Sunday night, when he led Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to a 99-98 overtime victory over Converge to advance to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinals in a knockout game.
Holt hit the decisive basket in the closing moments of the overtime period and secured Barangay Ginebra’s place in the next round of the all-Filipino conference.
Holt said he took a moment to remember the last time he converted a game-winning shot after his most recent buzzer-beating play against Converge.
The Converge side exited the Philippine Cup after the one-point loss in the do-or-die matchup.
Barangay Ginebra players and coaching staff immediately celebrated on the court after Holt’s shot sealed the 99-98 result.
PBA game officials confirmed the final score and the overtime result following regulation, which ended with the teams tied and forced the extra period.
The league scheduled Barangay Ginebra to face an awaiting opponent in the semifinals, which follow a multi-game series format in the Philippine Cup.
Holt’s basket concluded a tightly contested overtime frame in which both Barangay Ginebra and Converge traded scores and defensive stops.
Coaches from both teams used timeouts in the final minute of overtime to design plays and manage possessions before Holt took the final shot.
The PBA Philippine Cup knockout game took place under standard league rules, with overtime triggered after the teams remained tied at the end of the fourth quarter.
