Stephen Holt’s moment of magic sends Ginebra to PBA Philippine Cup Semis

In a night that tested Ginebra’s belief more than its playbook, Stephen Holt authored the defining shot of his PBA career—and perhaps one of the most dramatic finishes of the season. 

With overtime seconds melting away and the Kings staring at an unthinkable exit, Holt rose from deep and launched a three that echoed Justin Brownlee’s clutch lore, lifting Ginebra past Converge, 99-98, and into the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The road to the last four was anything but smooth. Ginebra’s margin for error disappeared early as bodies piled up and options thinned out. 

Jayson David exited with a shoulder injury, then Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar fouled out in quick succession—developments that swung momentum firmly toward the FiberXers and appeared to clear a path for the upset-minded challengers.

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INCREDIBLE HOLT

Stephen Holt breaks the hearts of the Converge FiberXers with his game-winning triple at the buzzer for the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings.

Watch here.#PBA50 #PBA50LIDhttps://t.co/rda6SH9Zes

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 28, 2025

Converge capitalized, building a 95-89 lead with just 1:39 left in overtime. The Kings, down to their resolve, leaned on the very identity that has carried them through countless close calls. 

RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario sparked a late push, rekindling the never-say-die spirit that defines the franchise and setting the stage for a final possession that demanded composure.

Holt delivered it in full. Calm amid chaos, he stepped into the shot and drained the buzzer-beating triple that stunned the crowd, silenced Converge’s bench, and secured Ginebra’s place as the third team to advance to the semifinals.

After the dust settled, head coach Tim Cone kept it grounded. “We got lucky,” he said.

Lucky or not, Ginebra once again found a way—through adversity, attrition, and a single fearless shot—to keep its Philippine Cup title chase alive.

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