Call them giant slayers! KIA upsets defending champ Purefoods
Playing coach Manny Pacquiao made his much-waited return to Kia Motors and the Carnival made sure it would be an unforgettable one.
Puerto Rican giant PJ Ramos and pint-sized guard LA Revilla provided the end-game brilliance, Kia Motors cut defending champion Purefoods Star down to size on Wednesday night, carving out a stunning 95-84 victory to stop a two-game losing skid in the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
With Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, calling the shots for the first time this conference, the Carnival proved a tough nut to crack for the Hotshots majority of the way then unleashed a jarring 16-2 closeout anchored on the 7-foot-3 Ramos and Revilla, a 5-foot-8 playmaker, to complete another monumental upset.
Ramos frolicked in the lane with 32 points, including nine in the payoff canto, while Revilla, a former La Salle standout, added 18 markers and issued seven assists, most of them given to the Puerto Rican native as the Carnival notched just its second win after six attempts.
However, it came on yet another stunning fashion, with Kia having defeated reigning Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer 88-78 last Feb. 4.
And the victory certainly made the night sweeter for Pacquiao, who finally registered his first point in pro league via a split free throw off an Allein Maliksi foul at the 11:24 mark of the second canto.
Guard Mark Barroca tallied a team-high 18 points while three other teammates added at least 10 markers but the Hotshots hardly got anything from touted import Daniel Orton, who struggled with foul woes all game long and finished with just six points, causing them to absorb their second straight setback after winning their first four games.
Purefoods Star certainly was in for a big upset as it struggled to put away Kia, with Orton riding most in the bench.
With the Hosthots vulnerable in the lane, the Carnival pounced on the big chance, turning a 75-68 deficit into a one-point lead midway in the final canto.
Purefoods Star, however, scored four straight points off Marc Pingris and Joe Devance to retake the lead at 82-79.
But Kia had another big run left in them, with Ramos, Poligrates, and Revilla conspiring in a furious finish.
The Main Man: With Purefoods Star counterpart Daniel Orton struggling, Kia’s Puerto Rican giant PJ Ramos made a living in the lane by ramming in 32 big points aside from hauling down 26 rebounds.
Honorable Mentions: Cheifly backstopping Ramos was guard LA Revilla, who emerged as the Best Player of the Game anew similar to Kia’s two other victories this season.
Game Turning Point: Down by three with less than five minutes left, the Carnival suddenly shifted into high gear as Ramos, Revilla and Poligrates teamed up in a decisive 11-to-nothing run, enabling them to take a 90-82 lead with 74 seconds left to play.
Stat of the Game: With Ramos asserting himself at will, the Carnival lorded it over in the lane with 52 points, doubling the Hotshots’ output.
Next Games:
Purefoods Star versus Barangay Ginebra on Feb. 22 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Kia Motors against Talk ‘N Text on Feb. 25 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
He Said It:
Kia playing coach Manny Pacquiao: Ipinakita ng mga players natin na maglaro, ‘yung excetucion na ginawa sa training nangyari ngayon. Nag-connect rin ‘yung (outside) shooting nila.
The scores:
KIA 95 - Ramos 32, Revilla 18, Poligrates 15, Pascual 8, Avenido 8, Thiele 4, Yee 4, Cawaling 3, Buensuceso 2, Pacquiao 1, Dehesa 0, Alvarez 0, Bagatsing 0.
PUREFOODS 84 - Barroca 18, Devance 12, Pennisi 12, Pingris 10, Melton 8, Simon 7, Maliksi 7, Orton 6, Taha 2, Mallari 2.
Quarter scores: 21-19, 44-50, 68-75, 95-84.
