PBA: Kia takes down another champ, clips Talk N’ Text

By: Mark Giongco - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — Kia proved its win over defending champion Purefoods last week was no fluke.

The Carnival took down another league powerhouse in Talk ‘N Text, 106-103, in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Kia also defeated Philippine Cup champion San Miguel earlier this conference.

“The players did well, they follow (instructions) during training so the result was good. That’s what I’ve been telling them, they just have to sacrifice in training so it will be easy come game time,” said Kia playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, who logged six minutes and 43 seconds all in the second quarter, in Filipino.

“We’ve defeated three strong teams, so I believe the confidence in each one of them is there.”

At the dugout, the players celebrated by chanting “Vegas! Vegas!” to which Pacquiao replied: “Umpisahan nyo na mag-langoy ngayon (Start swimming now [so you can get to Vegas]).”

Kia players celebrate inside the dugout. Video by Mark Giongco

Pacquiao is fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hyram Bagatsing hardly missed from the three-point area, making six out of seven, en route to a blistering 21-point effort for the Carnival, who roared back from 17 points down.

Kia import PJ Ramos posted 24 points and 25 rebounds and his mere presence on the floor made things easier for his team on both ends. Constantly facing double and even triple teams, Ramos unselfishly kicked the ball out to the open man and result was a staggering 18 made triples for the Carnival.

Back-to-back triples by Bagatsing gave Kia its first taste of the lead, 63-62. The Carnival’s last 3-pointer couldn’t be any bigger with Leo Avenido burying one from the corner to give his team a 103-98 cushion with 1:45 remaining.

Larry Fonacier breathed life into Talk ‘N Text with a triple that cut Kia’s lead down to three, 106-103, with 41 seconds left and after an ill-advised triple by Reil Cervantes, the door was left open for the Texters to force overtime but Ranidel de Ocampo’s potential game-tying trey at the top of the key came up short with Kia big man Kyle Pascual in front of him for the challenge.

Jayson Castro paced the Texters, who suffered just their second defeat in seven games, with 24 points while import Ivan Johnson had 21 points and 12 rebounds.