Expansion team Kia forced Barako Bull to its worst offensive performance of the season before escaping with a 71-68 victory last night to boost its playoff bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Carnival rallied from a 67-61 deficit to take the lead in the final seconds, then leaned on their defense to prevent the Energy Cola from forcing an extra five-minute period to seal their fourth win in seven matches.
Senegalese center Hamady N’Diaye had eight points, 14 rebounds and four blocks as Kia snapped a two-game skid to jump into solo fourth.
Kia’s victory moved them a few steps closer towards clinching a playoff berth for the first time ever.
N’Diaye’s biggest contribution, however, was anchoring the defense that propelled Kia to frustrate a Barako team that leads the league in scoring this conference with an average of 108.3 points.
Barako’s struggles was highlighted by the below-par performance of 7-foot-2 import Liam McMorrow, who shot 5-of-12 from the field before finishing with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
The 24-year-old McMorrow entered the game with an average of 29.3 points and 23.6 rebounds.
“It’s a very hard game. Coming from two losses, it’s very hard for us especially against the No. 1 team,” said Kia assistant coach Chito Victolero.
Taiwanese import Jet Chang topscored with 15 points while LA Revilla added 10 markers for Kia, which matched its four-win output during the Commissioner’s Cup.
The loss delayed the Energy Cola’s entry into the playoffs while dropping to a tie for second with the Alaska Aces at 6-2.
San Miguel benefited from Barako’s defeat as it moved into the solo lead with a 7-2 record.
Scores:
KIA 71 – Chang 15, Revilla 10, Thiele 9, Bagtsing 9, N’Diaye 8, Deutchman 8, Alvarez 5, Webb 4, Buensuceso 3, Dehesa 0, Nuyles 0, Pascual 0.
BARAKO BULL 68 – Lastimosa 13, Lanete 13, McMorrow 12, Garcia 11, Maierhofer 9, Intal 4, Wilson 4, Pascual 2, Yeo 0, Hubalde 0, Chua 0, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 18-23; 35-34; 54-54; 71-68.
Second Game:
RAIN OR SHINE 106 – McKines 33, Lee 20, Teng 8, Almazan 8, Chan 6, Cruz Jericho 5, Tang 5, Belga 5, Uyloan 4, Arana 4, Norwood 3, Tiu 3, Cruz Jervy 2, Ibanes 0, Quinahan 0.
NLEX 102 – Madanly 20, Taulava 16, Cradona 14, Canaleta 14, Villanueva E. 14, Wilson 12, Alexander 8, Raymundo 2, Ramos 2, Villanueva J. 0, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 25-16, 50-41, 86-66, 106-102