Stephen Holt and Justin Brownlee led the welcoming committee as Ginebra gave a warm reception to its new addition Troy Rosario with a 109-100 victory over NLEX at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Holt and Brownlee formed a deadly one-two punch as the Kings led by as many as 16 points and staved off any efforts of comeback from the Road Warriors to open their mid-season campaign on a high note.

With a conference with Ginebra under his belt, a Finals appearance at that, Holt picked up where he left off from last conference, firing 26 points built on five triples while the well-rested Brownlee added 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Rosario seemed to be still adjusting to the triangle but made a good account of himself nonetheless with nine points and seven rebounds before fouling out of the contest late in the final frame.

Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 15 and 13 while Scottie Thompson orchestrated the attack with 13 assists on top of eight points and eight rebounds.

Mike Watkins had 27 points and 21 rebounds in a losing effort for NLEX which took a 39-32 lead early on but found no answers to the hot shooting of Holt and Brownlee. 

Robert Bolick added 18 points and seven assists as the Road Warriors saw their three-game winning streak snapped to slide to a 3-2 record in the standings.