PBA: Kia stuns reigning titlist Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines –Kia slayed another league giant in defending champion Purefoods, 95-84, in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

LA Revilla had an all-around effort with 18 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Carnival, whose other win came at the expense of Philippine Cup titlist San Miguel Beermen last Feb. 3.

“Maganda yung pinakita ng mga players na naglaro, yung execution ng play na ginawa sa practice nangyari dito. Nag-connect yung shooting nila kaya nanalo,” said playing coach Pacquiao in just his second post-game press conference appearance since his team beat fellow expansion team Blackwater in the season opener.

Pacquiao scored his first career point in the PBA via a split from the stripe.

Kia import PJ Ramos posted game-highs of 32 points and 26 rebounds. And with Orton on the bench saddled by foul trouble, the 7-foot-3 Puerto Rican took advantage and scored back-to-back baskets – both off assists from Revilla – that gave the Carnival the lead, 84-82, for good with 2:27 left.

Then Revilla took matters into his own hands.

The former De La Salle standout accounted for nine of Kia’s last 11 points including a three-point play against Marc Pingris on the right baseline and a dagger of a 3-pointer that practically put the game away, 93-84, with only 41.7 ticks left.

Purefoods import Daniel Orton couldn’t get anything going for him and finished with only six points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field and three rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. He fouled out with 1:31 remaining.

Mark Barroca led the Hotshots, who reeled to their second loss in six games, with 18 points and eight rebounds but committed seven turnovers and had no assists. Marc Pingris notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

A basket by Joe Devance gave Purefoods an 82-79 cushion with 4:32 remaining before Ramos scored five unanswered points in the next two minutes.