Troy Rosario finally made his Barangay Ginebra debut but it was mainly Stephen Holt who paved the way for opening the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on a high note with a 109-100 win over NLEX Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Holt scored 20 of his 26 points in the third quarter which allowed the Gin Kings to pull away and prevail in their first taste of action since losing to the TNT Tropang Giga in the Governors’ Cup Finals last month.

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Rosario had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists before fouling out during the final seconds when the outcome was already settled in a solid first act since signing with his childhood team as an unrestricted free agent.

Justin Brownlee finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks for Ginebra, which led by a high of 16.

New Ginebra recruit Troy Rosario makes his debut in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Ginebra was the last team to play its first game in the conference, mainly due to the PBA Finals and coach Tim Cone’s and several Ginebra players’ duties representing Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

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The Gin Kings will have two more games until Sunday, with the Phoenix Fuel Masters next Friday at the same venue and guest team Eastern from Hong Kong two days later at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

NLEX dropped to 3-2 despite 27 points and 21 rebounds from import Mike Watkins even as Robert Bolick was held to 18 points on 4-of-12 shooting after dropping 39 on San Miguel Beer in Sunday’s comeback win.

The Road Warriors were up 43-42 at the break, but the Gin Kings took control as Holt sizzled by knocking down all seven attempts, five from the three-point land.