Kia’s Hyram Bagatsing. Photo from pba.inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kia tied a season-best with 18 3-pointers made in another upset win over Talk ‘N Text on Wednesday night. Six of those triples came from swingman Hyram Bagatsing, who wound up with 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field in just 19 minutes off the bench.
Bagatsing attributed his superb shooting to his teammates most especially to their team’s 7-foot-3 import PJ Ramos.
“Everything opens up when PJ is on the floor,” Bagatsing told INQUIRER.net inside the winning dugout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “I’m just really lucky that we have a good import so I get those open. My teammates were looking for me.”
Before Wednesday night, Bagatsing only had a combined two points in his previous two games this conference. Last conference, the former De La Salle slotman scored just 21 points in total.
Kia playing-coach Manny Pacquiao hit the court for just the fourth time this season and was left searching for his first field goal and was scoreless. But Bagatsing said the ring icon is of big help to the team every time he plays.
“When boss Manny is here, everyone’s spirit is up. A legend like him on your side is a big morale boost for the team.”
Kia has now won two in a row after toppling defending champion Purefoods exactly last week and Bagatsing hopes the Carnival can continue their winning ways.
“We’re just riding off the momentum. We know we have a good import in PJ so I hope we’ll be able to continue this from here on.”
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