New Ginebra players Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos impressed in the squad's exhibition match against the New Taipei Kings in Macau.
In the battle between kings, the ones from the Philippines prevailed.
Brgy. Ginebra raced off to a hot start, sputtered in the middle, but held on at the finish for a thrilling 91-87 win over New Taipei Kings in an exhibition match in the Macau International Basketball Club Challenge on Wednesday, July 31.
Japeth Aguilar led all Gin Kings scorers with 21 points, including the putback with 4:07 remaining that gave the squad an 83-82 advantage.
The match at the Tap Seac Sports Pavilion in Macau was also the perfect audition for the new Ginebra pieces.
RJ Abarrientos, drafted No. 3 overall in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft, and Stephen Holt passed with flying colors, with the former finishing with 20 points including the booming trey with 2:10 for an 88-84 lead.
Holt, formerly of Terrafirma and was part of the blockbuster deal that saw former Best Player of the Conference Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle of the Gin Kings shipped to the Dyip, fired 17 points.
[ALSO READ: Blockbuster trade: Ginebra gets Stephen Holt, Isaac Go from Terrafirma for Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle]
Ginebra asserted its might early with a 13-0 run against its opponent.
Despite missing the services of Lin brothers Jeremy and Joseph, the New Taipei Kings did enough to give the Gin Kings a scare towards the end.