#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: KIA CARNIVAL vs TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS – FIGHTING TO SURVIVE

KIA and TNT are sitting at the very edge of the quarterfinal race. KIA, at 4-5, is tied for seventh with the Star Hotshots, while TNT is at ninth spot with a 4-6 slate. Since only the top eight teams will advance to the next round, it’s very important for both teams to win today and improve their chances of advancing.

This is especially true for TNT, which is playing its final elims game. The Texters would also love to bounce back after losing to the Hotshots. After a strong 3-1 start to the conference, TNT has struggled, losing 5 of its last 6 assignments despite having a relatively complete roster. They will need this win to avoid outright elimination and to gain momentum if they do make it to the next round.

KIA, meanwhile, is hoping to gain a win after back-to-back defeats. Like TNT, the Carnival started the conference strong, but they have since struggled, too. They have lost 4 of their last 5 games and with TNT and MER as their last 2 opponenets in the elims, things aren’t looking good for KIA. A win here means they have some breathing room and the inside track to advance to the quarterfinals.

Previous results:

PHL Cup

TNT beat KIA, 85-62

COMM Cup

KIA beat TNT, 106-103

1. THE SENEGALESE STOPPER

Hamady N’Diaye had a great game against ROS, though they lost. The big Senegalese stopper had 31 points, 21 rebounds, and EIGHT BLOCKED SHOTS in a dominant display of strength. If he can do that here against an undersized TNT squad, the Carnival may just spring the upset.

vs ROS: 31pts, 21rbs, 8blks, 1ast, 1stl, 12/21 FGs.

2. DEHESA DELIVERS

Another guy who did well for Kia was starting PG Karl Dehesa. The Fil-American playmaker put up 19 points one game after he scored a career-high 20 markers against GlobalPort. If he can continue playing at a high level, KIA may be able to neutralize TNT’s Jayson Castro.

vs ROS: 19pts, 5rebs, 3asts, 4 triples.

First 7 games: 7.4ppg, 1.6 triples per game, 33.3 FG%

Last 2 games: 19.5ppg, 4.0 triples per game, 50.0 FG%

3. BEATEN BY THE BENCH

Despite the strong games of N’Diaye and Dehesa, KIA still lost to ROS mainly because their bench couldn’t match the production of the Painters’ reserves. That’s something that should be addressed in this game against a very deep TNT squad.

vs ROS-

Bench Scoring: ROS 50, KIA 24

Buensuceso – 7

Bagatsing – 6

Nuyles – 6

4. WAKE UP THOSE WINGMEN!

Another thing KIA has to do in this game is have their key wing scorers wake up and play well. Specifically, these are Jet Chang and Hyram Bagatsing, who combined to shoot just 4/23 from the field in their last game. Surely, KIA won’t be able to win if both continue to struggle with their shots.

Chang: 2/9 FGs, 6pts – first time held below 10pts

Bagatsing: 2/14 FGs, 6pts

5. ON-TARGET: DE OCAMPO & FONACIER

In TNT’s last game, both RDO and Larry Fonacier waxed hot from beyond the arc, combining for 8 of TNT’s 10 treys. Both RDO and Fonacier eventually led TNT in scoring in that loss, but if they can remain on-target here, the Texters should be in good shape to win.

RDO vs PUR: 21pts, 5rebs, 2blks, 4 triples, 8/14 FGs

Fonacier vs PUR: 20pts, 2rebs, 4 triples, 8/15 FGs

6. PETTIGREW BOUNCES BACK

After a terrible outing against Blackwater, Steffphon Pettigrew put up big numbers against PUR in a bounce back effort. It was unfortunate that they still lost, but at least Pettigrew seems to be returning to his flow. If he can record another double-double here, TNT should have the upper-hand.

vs PUR: 18pts, 10rebs, 2stl, 8/13 FGs

7. JAYSON GETTING BLURRED

After a lackluster outing against BLA, Castro rediscovered a bit of his offense against PUR, but he still had a tough time bleeding for his 17 points. To compound things, he also turned the ball over 5 times. TNT will need the BPC version of Castro if they are to continue making noise this conference.

First 5 games: 22.0ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0 triples per game, 46.6 FG%

Last 2 games: 12.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.0 triple per game, 32.1 FG%

8. KEY MATCH-UP: CHANG VS FONACIER

It will be very interesting to see these two guys face each other at the wings. Chang has a good perimeter game, but he loves to attack the basket, while Fonacier has been deadly from long range and is a pretty good playmaker. It’ll be exciting to see who get the upper-hand and who outplays the other. Whoever wins this match-up should be able to give his team a huge boost.

Chang stats: 13.ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, 1.0 triple per game, 35.1 FG%

Fonacier stats: 10.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, 2.0 triples per game, 44.8 FG%

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