Kia strikes anew, crushes Alaska

KIA MOTORS point guard LA Revilla drives to the hoop against the defense of Alaska’s Chris Exciminiano. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines—KIA Motors started out hot and finished off Alaska with a flurry Wednesday night, notching a 103-89 victory over the Aces that put the Carnival in the magic circle of teams that could  advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

PJ Ramos scored 36 points and had 33 rebounds in another mammoth effort befitting his huge 7-foot-3 frame as the Carnival brought down another fancied side at Smart Araneta Coliseum to rise to 4-5 overall and occupy eighth spot.

Four of the 12 teams will get the boot and Alaska, now down to a 2-5 record, is in danger of missing the bus after losing for the third straight game with NBA champion player Damion James in the roster.

In the second game, San Miguel Beer kept its flickering hopes of advancing alive after a 102-91 decision of Barako Bull.

The Beermen rose to 2-6 but remained tied for last place with Blackwater and would need nothing less than a sweep of their last three games to entertain hopes of marching on. Barako Bull dropped to 4-4.

KIA hit five triples in the first quarter, three of them coming from JR Cawaling, as the Carnival took a 28-27 lead into the second and were never threatened the rest of the way.

The Carnival added the Aces to their impressive list of victims. KIA had taken down defending champion Purefoods, Philippine Cup titleholder San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text before dropping a lopsided game to fellow expansion franchise Blackwater.

The scores:

First Game

KIA 103—Ramos 36, Dehesa 14, Cawaling 13, Revilla 10, Cervantes 6, Avenido 6, Buensuceso 5, Thiele 4, Alvarez 3, Poligrates 2, Pascual 2, Yee 2, Webb 0.

ALASKA 89—James 25, Thoss 16, Baguio 14, Abueva 11, Banchero 7, Manuel 6, Jazul 4, Dela Cruz 4, Eman 2, Dela Rosa 0, Exciminiano 0, Espinas 0, Casio 0, Menk 0.

Quarters: 28-27, 53-49, 77-67, 103-89

Second Game

SAN MIGUEL BEER 102—Reid 34, Santos 22, Cabagnot 17, Kramer 14, Lassiter 5, Lutz 3, Tubid 3, Ross 2, Fajardo 2, Reyes 0, Fortuna 0, Semerad 0.

BARAKO BULL 91—Intal 25, Alabi 25, Marcelo 11, Pascual 10, Garcia 6, Mercado 4, Hubalde 4, Lanete 4, Paredes 2, Lastimosa 0.

Quarters: 26-23, 57-46, 74-70, 102-91