#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: BGY. GINEBRA GIN KINGS vs KIA CARNIVAL – May 13, 2015
GIN and KIA have met only twice this season, with GIN seemingly dominating both encounters. It seems like the tables have been turned this time around, though, as GIN enters this game with an 0-2 card, while KIA is coming off a rousing victory over SMB.
On paper, the dangerous KIA squad may seem to have a slight advantage, since the presence of their two imports puts them in a prime chance to exploit GIN’s depleted roster. With Hamady N’Diaye better rested and Jet Chang better adjusted, look for KIA to be even more dangerous this time around.
That’s not to say GIN won’t have any weapons. IN truth, just having Orlando Johnson means the Kings have a fair chance to win. If locals like Sol Mercado, Mark Caguioa, and LA Tenorio can also contribute, the Kings may just continue their season-long dominance of the Carnival. Otherwise, KIA may just catch yet another big fish.
Here are some things to watch ot for in this episode:
Previous results:
PHL Cup
GIN bt KIA, 87-55
COMM Cup
GIN bt KIA, 100-92
- ORLANDO JOHNSON: SCORING AT WILL
Orlando Johnson has been practically unstoppable for Ginebra. The California native has already scored 96 points and he’s played just two games! He has shown that he can score from anywhere on the floor and in almost any situation. He will surely give KIA’s defense all it can handle, and if he can come up with yet another big outing, the Kings can finally notch win #1.
Stats: 48.0ppg, 11.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.5spg, 1.0bpg, 3.5 triples per game, 57.9 FG%
- SOL TRAIN HAS ARRIVED
Despite people dubting whether he could coexist with LA Tenorio or not, Mercado has come out to play well for his new team. The journeyman guard put up a baker’s dozen against TNT, and though they did lose that game, it was still great to see the Sol Train move with purpose on the court. He still needs to work on his shooting (4/14 FGs), but his energy gives this GIN squad a much-needed change of pace.
Stats: 10.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.5apg, 2.0spg, 33.3 FG%
- DEPLETED FRONTLINE
With no real word yet on whether Greg Slaughter and/or Japeth Aguilar are going to play, it may be safe to say GIN will go into this game with its frontline severely depleted again. And when ranged against KIA’s hulking import, GIN may have a real battle in its hands.
VIDEO: GIN FRONTLINE HIGHLIGHTS VS TNT
GIN Frontline vs TNT:
Rodney Brondial – 4pts, 3rebs
Dave Marcelo – 4pts, 9rebs, 1stl, 1blk
Dorian Peña – 2rebs
- SANCHIR TUNGALAG: SILENT ON THE BENCH
One controversial offshoot of GIN’s loss to TNT was Asiam import Sanchir Tungalag not being fielded in at all by coach Frankie Lim. Sanchir struggled in his previous game, but nobody expected him to get benched here. What’s worse, in the fourth quarter, it seems like Sanchir just tuned out and didn’t even really bother to go to the team huddles anymore.
Stats: 8pts, 2rebs
- HAMADY N’DIAYE: BAGONG HIGANTE NG KIA
N’Diaye, simply put, was a tower of strength for KIA in the game against SMB. N’Diaye won’t really look for his own shot as his true impact is on defense, where he can dominate by protecting the rim. He is also an underrated free throw shooter, but maybe that’s because he’s just so big. He was, however, a perfect 5/5 from the line.
vs SMB: 21pts, 6rebs, 4blks, 2stls, 1ast, 8/9 FGs.
- ALEX NUYLES: SUPERB EFFICIENCY
He played just 18 minutes off the bench, but Alex Nuyles was surely able to give a great account of himself. He was flying everywhere on the court and was very aggressive on both ends. If this is no fluke and he continues to play efficient ball, Nuyles may just be the kind of take-charge local scorer KIA can count on.
vs SMB: 18pts, 6rebs, 2stls, 8/14 FGs.
- JET CHANG: QUICK AND DEADLY ASSASSIN
Chang started slow in his debut, scoring 0 points and picking up a couple of fouls. He adjusted quickly in the second half, however, finally able to aggressively attack the basket and continue to play great defense on the other end. If the Taiwanese national team mainstay can continue being a solid contributor to his team, then the Carnival may just go far.
vs SMB: 14pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 3stls.
- LA REVILLA: PICK & ROLL SPECIALIST
I was left really impressed by LA Revilla. This is a guy who can score if the team needs him to, but otherwise, he is maybe one of the best pick & roll guys in the country. He constantly found his teammates in great, easy, pump-up-the-crowd, situations, and it looks like bigger things may be in store for him if he remains driven and healthy.
vs SMB: 6pts, 5rebs, 7asts, 1stl
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