PBA: Kia shuts down Barako Bull, holds Yeo scoreless

Jet Chang. PBA Images

Kia clamped down on Barako Bull to win, 71-68, and stop a two-game slide in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Carnival held the Energy to their lowest output this conference. Barako Bull, which is the only team this conference to score at least 100 points in its first seven games, came into the game averaging 108.3 points per game.

Asian import Jet Chang led all scorers with 15 points while Hamady N’Diaye, Kia’s defensive anchor, had five blocks, 14 rebounds and chipped in eight points.

Barako Bull’s one-two punch of Liam McMorrow and Joseph Yeo were also limited to a minimum with the hulking import scoring just 12 points and the Energy’s most consistent local Yeo scoreless.

“Our game plan defensively was really focused on Joseph Yeo. We want him to be a passer because he’s their leading scorer among their locals,” said Kia assistant coach Chito Victolero, whose defensive scheme smothered Yeo to a 0-of-11 shooting from the field in nearly 40 minutes of playing time.

The Carnival rose to 4-3 and dealt the Energy just their second loss in eight games.

Down three, 71-68, with under 10 seconds left Barako Bull’s JC Intal and RR Garcia missed two potential game-tying triples as time ran out. CFC