#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: KIA CARNIVAL vs NLEX ROAD WARRIORS – BREAK THE DOMINANCE

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In two previous meetings this season, the Kia Carnival have failed to beat the NLEX Road Warriors. In both games, Kia held the lead early in the game only to have the Road Warriors rally in the second half to win. Kia has the firepower to beat NLEX, but it has to show more mental toughness to be able to close out and eventually notch a win against the Road Warriors.

The match-up of the imports is also going to be one thing to watch here as Kia’s Hamady N’Diaye and NLEX’s Kwame Alexander have contrasting styles of play. It will be interesting to see how NLEX adjusts to the size of N’Diaye (remember that NLEX struggled the last time it faced a big import, losing to Liam McMorrow and Barako Bull in their first game), while it also be interesting to see how Kia’s wingmen try to limit the all-around brilliance of Kwame Alexander.

Previous results:

PHL Cup

NLX beat KIA, 88-80

COMM Cup

NLX beat KIA, 102-86

1. REVILLA’S REVOLUTION

Without a doubt, Kia will lean on the strong play of LA Revilla. The former DLSU point guard struggled to score in his first game this conference, but he bounced back strong against Ginebra, dropping 20 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds despite losing in the end. If he can continue to do well using the pick & roll and find different ways to help Kia’s offense hum, the Carnival can pull out another W here.

vs GIN: 20pts, 6asts, 5rebs, 2 triples.

Conference stats: 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 6.5apg, 43.5 FG%

2. HAMADY N’DIAYE: DEFENSIVE DEMON

Anchoring the middle for Kia will be 7-foot Senegalese slotman Hamady N’Diaye, who has proven to be defensive demon. N’Diaye may not have the scoring chops of Kia’s previous import PJ Ramos, but he has shown a lot of energy and great timing on the defensive end. He also dominated the boards in Kia’s previous game, and if he can continue to lord it in the paint, the Carnival will make life tough for the Road Warriors.

vs GIN: 19pts, 25rebs, 5blks, 6/8 FGs, 7/16 FTs

Conference stats: 20.0ppg, 15.5rpg, 4.5bpg, 82.4 FG%, 57.1 FT%

3. KARL DEHESA: STEPPING UP

Despite losing to the Gin Kings, Kia got a big lift from an unexpected source — substitute guard Karl Dehesa. Dehesa unloaded a season-high 19 points against GIN, hitting 4 triples and making half of his field goals. Dehesa probably won’t have the same kind of success against NLX, but if Kia can have just anybody step up from the bench, it will be a big boost to their chances.

vs GIN: 19pts, 4rebs, 3asts, 1stl, 4 triples, 7/14 FGs.

4. THE JET SLOWED DOWN

It was a good thing Dehesa and Revilla put up big scoring numbers for KIA, because one of its main offensive options, Taiwanese import Jet Chang, struggled from the floor. Just like in his first game, Chang missed more than he made, but this time he shot even worse than against SMB. With Kia’s wing depth a little suspect, Chang will have to bounce back strong to help his club get a win here.

vs GIN: 10pts, 3rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 2 triples, 4/15 FGs

Conference stats: 12.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, 2.0spg, 33.3 FG%, 20.0 3pt%

5. KWAME COMES UP BIG

On the other end, one guy who came up big for NLX was import Kwame Alexander. Alexander had a subpar debut in the PBA, but he has done much better since, helping NLX to nearly upset PUR and eventually pushing them to a big win over MER. If he can continue to notch huge double-double numbers, he and the Road Warriors will be very tough to stop. Of course, it will also be interesting to see how he plays against such a big defensive import like N’Diaye.

First game: 16pts, 10rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 4blks, 37.5 FG%

Last 2 games: 27.0ppg, 21.5rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0bpg, 60.0 FG%

6. ASI TAULAVA: TURNING BACK THE CLOCK

One guy who will need to have a really solid game is big man Asi Taulava, who will have the unenviable task of trying to stop N’Diaye. Taulava struggled in his first two games this conference, but he had an eye-poppingly good performance in NLX’s last game, unloading a big double-double against the Bolts. If Asi can put up another great game, he may just achieve a good level of success against N’Diaye and the Carnival.

First 2 games: 5.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 23.5 FG%

Last game: 20pts, 10rebs, 43.8 FG%

7. KG CATCHES FIRE

Another guy NLX needs to step up is swingman KG Canaleta. KG had a good game in NLX’s win over MER, hitting 3 treys on his way to 13 points, and that’s the kind of production the Road Warriors will need from him if they are to play well. This is especially true if Asian import Michel Madanly continues to be absent or to struggle.

First 2 games: 7.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 2/11 3pts, 35.3 FG%

vs MER: 13pts, 6rebs, 3/5 3pts, 4/8 FGs

8. WHERE’S MADANLY?

Before the conference began, the addition of Syrian superstar Michel Madanly was supposed to boost the chances of NLX to do some real damage in the Govs Cup, but a neck injury in his first game left the Asian import hampered. It’s still unclear if he will still be able to play for the Road Warriors, but if he does play and he’s relatively healthy, he’s a potentially explosive weapon NLX can rely on against Kia here.

Stats: 17.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.0apg, 2.0 triples per game, 44.8 FG%

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