Kia shocks Purefoods under Pacquiao’s watch

MANILA, Philippines – Kia, drawing another dominant game from Peter John Ramos and a first PBA career point from boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, scored a second reversal in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, pulling the rug from under title holder Purefoods, 95-84, Wednesday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ramos powered his way to 32 points and 26 rebounds and led a strong Kia closing romp that carried the Carnival to a second win in the mid-season tourney after their 88-78 upset of Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer last Feb. 4.

“Na-execute namin yung ginagawa namin sa practice at kumunek yung shooting namin (We’re able to execute what we’re doing in practice and we’re able to make our shots),” said Pacquiao, the Kia playing coach who had his contribution with a point and an assist in a little over four minutes of action in the second quarter.

Pacquiao made a first PBA point on a split from the stripe off a foul by Allein Maliksi at the start of the second quarter. After that, Pacquiao twice attempted from the outside, the first one going air ball and the second barely hitting the board.

Backcourt players LA Revilla and Eliud Poligrates provided big help in the final quarter as the Carnival wiped out a seven-point deficit, 68-75, and went on to pull off the key win that pushed the team up to ninth place at 2-4.

“I think we have a chance (to make the playoffs). Kailangan lang patindihin pa ang training,” said Pacquiao.

Struggling at the finish with Daniel Orton out of fouls, the Hotshots suffered a second straight loss and moved down to third place behind the Meralco Bolts (5-0) and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (4-1).