#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: BARAKO BULL ENERGY vs KIA CARNIVAL – DIVERGENT DIRECTIONS

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BAR and KIA are two teams on divergent directions. The Energy, fresh from notching their sixth win this season, still have a solid hold on first place. In contrast, Kia, losing back-to-back after starting the conference 3-1, is reeling and are hoping to halt its skid.

BAR had a character-building win against GLO in their previous game, rallying from a halftime deficit to beat the upstart Batang Pier. Liam McMorrow had a strong outing in that one, but he had a lot of help as five locals scored 9 or more points. BAR is on-target to book a ticket to the next round and a win here will all but make that a certainty.

KIA started the conference with a lot of promise, but the Carnival have struggled big time since then. Rock-bottom for them was getting waylaid by 38 points by the Alaska Aces. It will be a significant test of character for this team to try and bounce back from such a debilitating defeat.

Previous results:
PHL Cup
BAR beat KIA, 87-71

COMM Cup
BAR beat KIA, 95-86

1. MONSTER MCMORROW!
   McMorrow unloaded another big game in BAR’s win over GLO. He is one of the leading candidates for Best Import and remains a big reason for BAR’s dominance this conference.

vs GLO: 41pts, 27rebs, 2asts, 3stls, 1blk, 11/15 FGs

2. YES YES YEO!
   Joseph Yeo had another big game as BAR beat GLO. In his last four games, Yeo has been playing like a superstar, and teams need to stop him if they want to beat BAR.

vs GLO: 19pts, 4rebs, 10asts, 1blk.
First 3 games: 7.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.3apg, 2 triples total, 36.0 FG%
Last 4 games: 22.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 6.0apg, 2.8 triples per game, 48.6 FG%

3. INTAL BOUNCES BACK!
   After putting up 0 points against ROS, JC Intal bounced back nicely against GLO. He shot 0/10 against ROS but made half of his shots against GLO, dropping 14 points and 8 rebounds.

vs ROS: 0pts, 7rebs, 0/10 FGs
vs GLO: 14pts, 8rebs, 5/10 FGs

4. RR RESPONDS
   RR Garcia has been playing well of late, and BAR will surely need him to continue his high level of play if the Energy are to continue their winning ways.

First 5 games: 8.4ppg, 1.8apg, 3 triples total, 40.5 FG%
Last 2 games: 18.0ppg, 3.0apg, 3.0 triples per game, 51.7 FG%

5. EYE ON N’DIAYE!
   Hamady N’Diaye left their last game with an apparent eye injury, but team officials say it’s nothing serious. He has provided such a strong presence for KIA in the paint and they will need him against McMorrow.

Stats: 15.5ppg, 14.5rpg, 5.0bpg, 66.0 FG%, 41.1 FT%

6. JET BOOST
   Jet Chang has been a boost for KIA, scoring double-figures in every game, but he has been up-and-down of late. Without a doubt they will need Chang to produce efficient numbers if they are to win.

In Losses: 12.3ppg, 1.0apg, 31.1 FG%
In Wins: 18.0ppg, 2.3apg, 40.0 FG%

7. SHOOTING BLANKS
   Aside from N’Diaye’s injury, another big reason KIA was humiliated by ALA is the fact they shot very poorly from everywhere. Against a team so efficient like BAR, KIA will need to bring its A-game.

Last game: 33.3 FG%, 54.5 FT%, 13.0 3pt%

8. SLUMPING NUYLES
   One guy who started the conference well but has been slumping lately is ALex Nuyles. He has really struggled in his last two games, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can bounce back to give his team a lift in this game.

First 4 games: 10.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 31.8 FG%
Last 2 games: 3.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 17.6 FG%

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