Manny Pacquiao File photo
(The Philippine Star)
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, last night 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 player-coach who contributed a point and an assist in a little over four minutes of action in the second quarter.
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).
In the first game, Globalport import replacement Calvin Warner turned an otherwise lackluster performance into a winning one, pouring in 14 points in the fourth period as the Batang Pier drubbed the Barako Bull Energy, 99-81, to get back on track.
The 6-5 Warner, struggling for just nine markers in the first three quarters, used his court savvy to make up for his lack of size and exploded in the last 12 minutes, helping spark their breakaway from a shaky 66-62 lead at the start of the fourth en route to the runaway win, their third against the same number of losses for sixth place.
The loss, its second in row, dropped Barako Bull to joint fourth with Rain or Shine at 3-2.
“Being a veteran import, Warner helps us with his maturity,” said Globalport coach Eric Gonzales.
“That’s our stand (in enlisting him in lieu of CJ Leslie). We’re after his inside presence and maturity that we hope will help our team mature,” Gonzales added.
No way he could match seven-foot Sol Alabi’s 37-point and 28-rebound game, but Warner put in enough effort and energy that inspired his teammates to bounce back from an 84-86 loss to the Meralco Bolts the last time out.
Warner collected 23 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks, Terrence Romeo delivered a team-high 24 points while Stanley Pringle and Mark Isip added 14 markers apiece.
Wingmen Ronjay Buenafe and Keith Jensen had their contributions for the Batang Pier in the game that was actually close but ended as a rout after the Energy went on a fouling spree and thus gave away several charities in the closing minute.
The Energy took control in the early going, 27-17, but the Batang Pier got into the groove and dragged Barako to a battle through the next 24 minutes of play.
At 66-62, Warner made two straight baskets underneath, touching off a decisive attack that had Globalport erecting a 12-point spread at 85-73.
“The loss to Meralco the last time was a big lesson not just to the players but the coaching staff. We have to finish well and not just start strong,” said Gonzales of the match that they lost on a last-second shot by Bolts import Josh Davis.
It was Warner’s debut game in the local pro league where he made 24 points.
Warner went 9 of 15 from the field for 23 points in his second PBA game.
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