Kia stuns Philippine Cup champ San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines – While the Floyd Mayweather fight remains elusive for Manny Pacquiao, it wasn't the case for his Kia Carnivals as they hammered out a giant upset of freshly minted Phil. Cup champion San Miguel Beermen, 88-78, Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Carnival caught the Beermen perhaps still on cloud nine after their Philippine Cup conquest, but the former earned the victory by putting extra work on the defensive end. With their defense on point and their outside shots rifling in, the Carnival began to control the game in the second quarter and led by 11 at the break, 46-35.

Pacquiao called during the halftime to remind the team to sustain their energy especially on defense according to his top deputy Chito Victolero.

The Carnival heeded their coach's reminder and did not disappoint as they limited the Beermen to just 37 percent shooting, including an atrocious 1-of-24 from the three-point area.

Unlike their first two games, Carnival's hulking import PJ Ramos got plenty of help from the locals. He even watched the team win from the bench in the last few minutes of the fourth period after his San Miguel counterpart Ronald Roberts, Jr. drew his sixth foul.

Veterans Mark Yee, Mike Burtscher and the tandem of LA Revilla and JR Cawaling held the fort for Kia to score its second franchise win and first against an elite team in the PBA.

Ramos wound up with 22 points and only eight rebounds but four more players chipped in nine or more for the Carnival. The 7-3 Puerto Rican import cancelled out reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo's numbers of 18 points and eight boards.

"Yun talaga ang in-impress ko sa team na kailangan kumayod ang mga locals and we did (tonight) kaya nanalo kami," Victolero said.

Revilla led Ramos' supporting cast with 12 points and six assists while Yee, Cawaling and the comebacking Leo Avenido finished with 11,10 and nine, in that order.

Despite a championship-like atmosphere celebration in the locker room, Victolero remained humble.

"Blessing din na nitong huli lang nag-practice ang San Miguel at yung import nila kakarating lang nung linggo. Na-timing lang na off sila," Victolero added.

The huge win was pleasant news for Pacquiao, whose negotiation for the super fight against Mayweather hit a snag.

Despite being in the US, Pacquiao closely monitored the game on his phone and immediately called Victolero to extend his congratulatory message to him and the rest of the team right after the buzzer.

"Tumawag si boss Manny on my way here (sa press room). He congratulated the team and asked for the final score," Victolero said.

Pacquiao will be home soon and he might suit up in Kia's next game.