In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally gains control of the ball from an offensive player. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting (to a teammate) a pass or dribble of an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. Stealing the ball requires good anticipation, speed and fast reflexes, all common traits of a good defender. However, like blocked shots, steals aren't always a perfect gauge of a player's defensive abilities. An unsuccessful steal can result in the defender being out of position and unable to recover in time. Therefore, an attempted steal is a gamble. Steals can pay off greatly, because they often trigger a fastbreak for the defensive team.
Here are the individuals who made a name for themselves in this department
Among the imports, the player who made the record for the most number of steals is Sean Green with his 10 steals in a game. Among the locals, San Miguel Beer's Olsen
Racela holds the record with 9 in a game. He established it in February 19, 2010 in a game against Purefoods.
Meanwhile, Johnny Abarrientos holds the record for most steals with 1,358. He played for Alaska, Pop Cola, and Barangay Ginebra.
