Yeo, high-scoring Barako Bull no match for Kia defense

Joseph Yeo. PBA IMAGES

Barako Bull guard Joseph Yeo was left searching for his shot after the Energy’s 71-68 loss to the Kia Carnival Wednesday.

Yeo is averaging 16.3 points per game through the first seven games this conference and has been in one of the best offensive stretches in his career, norming 22.8 points in his last four games.

READ: PBA: Kia shuts down Barako Bull, holds Yeo scoreless

The 31-year-old Yeo has been causing opposing teams all sorts of problems and Kia was fully aware of the situation.

“Joseph Yeo is really the No.1 priority in our defensive game plan. We wanted him to pass the ball and not take the shot because I think he averaged around 23 points a game so if we limit Yeo and limit ( Liam) McMorrow a little bit was really important for us,” said Kia assistant coach Chito Victolero.

“The past couple of days especially after the loss that we just had, the team really got down in practice and really prepared to hustle and work hard for everything. Defensively, we stayed on point and focused the entire game and the guys really gave everything they had to lock down everyone on the floor,” said former NBA reserve Hamady N’Diaye, who anchored Kia’s defense, with five blocks and 14 rebounds that went with eight points.

The Carnival were able to do both. Yeo was held scoreless on 0-of-11 shooting from the field and Barako Bull import Liam McMorrow had 12 points on 42% – both conference-lows.

“I couldn’t really make anything. Kia’s defense was really good and I really had a tough time against them. They really prepared well for us, they were stopping our pick-and-rolls and were able to stop our import as well,” Yeo admitted. “It’s frustrating but it happens. It’s not my first game where I struggled like this.”

After firing blanks in nearly 40 minutes of playing time, Yeo vows to redeem himself.

“I have to be more aggressive. Me, Liam, JC and the rest of our team we have to bounce back next game.”

“They did a good job by pressing us. Maybe we were not aware of Kia’s capability to defend,” said Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal, whose team’s 68 points were its worst this conference after averaging a league-high108.3 points in its first seven games. CFC