#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: ALASK ACES vs KIA CARNIVAL – RISE TO THE TOP!
As of this writing, both ALA and KIA are in the upper half of the team standings. ALA is currently in third place with a 4-2 slate, while KIA is at the fifth spot with 3 wins against 2 defeats. Without a doubt, whoever gets the win in this game will be moving up and rising closer to the top.
The Aces started the conference on fire, winning three straight games, but they’ve struggled a little bit recently, losing two of their last three contests. Against NLX, the Aces coughed up too many turnovers and gave up too many free throws. That’s something they cannot afford to do tonight against a Kia team that has the advantage in size and loves to play a fast-paced style.
Speaking of Kia, the Carnival’s bid to win three games in a row was halted by the Star Hotshots in their previous outing. The Hotshots were just too hot to handle in that game, shooting nearly 50% from the field. Having a strong shot-blocker in N’Diaye has helped Kia become a good defensive team, but they have to find a way to balance that by scoring well. Kia is among the league’s worst in scoring, so that’s something they should really work on if they want to be a legitimate quarterfinal contender.
Previous results:
PHL Cup
ALA beat KIA, 85-75
COMM Cup
KIA beat ALA, 103-89
- ROMEO RAMPAGE
ALA import Romeo Travis had a great double—double against NLEX, but he will have to do at least as good as that against a Kia team parading the gargantuan Hamady N’Diaye.
Stats: 26.5ppg, 12.8rpg, 3.2apg, 2.3spg, 53.3 FG%
Last game: 31pts, 12rebs, 3asts, 3stls, 12/18 FGs
- SKYRUS BAGUIO
Another guy ALA needs to play well is veteran wingman Cyrus Baguio, who has been playing solid basketball for the Aces of late. If he can continue being an effective and efficient player, ALA should be in good shape here.
First three games: 5.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg,
Last three games: 15.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg
- POWER AT THE POINT: BANCHERO + CASIO
The point guard duo of Chris Banchero and JV Casio played pretty well in ALA’s last game, combining for 26 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals. If both guys can continue to man the point well enough to offset the production of Kia’s LA Revilla, then the Aces should be heavily-favored.
Banchero Stats: 9.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, 43.4 FG%
Casio stats: 11.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.5apg, 2.0 triples per game, 44.4 3pt%
- ABUEVA PLAYING HURT?
One curious thing about ALA right now is how it seems like Calvin Abueva has been playing very minimal minutes. Some say he’s playing hurt, but if the Aces want to go deep after the elims, Abueva is the de facto X-Factor.
Stats: 6.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, 33.3 FG%
- JET-POWERED
Jet Chang has been quite an impressive import for Kia. He provides an additional primary scoring option on the wings and is a terrific fastbreak player. He’s a volume shooter, though, so that’s something ALA will try to exploit in this game.
Stats: 16.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.8spg, 1.4 triples per game, 36.9 FG%
Last game: 17pts, 5rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 1 triple, 36.8 FG%
*Chang has been attempting around 17 FGs per game.
- SENEGALESE STOPPER
The Senegales Stopper Hamady N’Diaye has not yet met a shot he doesn’t want to swat all the way to the third row. In each game so far, the 7’0 slotman has blocked at least 3 shots, which will certainly make the Hotshots think twice before they aggressively attack Kia’s defense.
Stats: 15.0ppg, 16.0rpg, 1.0apg, 5.4bpg, 68.3 FG%
Last game: 13pts, 18rebs, 6blks
- THE GOOD & BAD OF LA REVILLA
LA Revilla has been a bit of a revelation this season for KIA, and he should continue to turn a lot of heads as the season’s third conference punches through. As good as he is, though, he has to learn to really tidy things up. That means lessening his turnovers and scoring more efficiently.
Stats: 12.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 5.4apg, 1.6spg.
Last game: 12pts, 7rebs, 6asts, 2stls.
- KEEP GETTING ‘EM BRICKS!
As good as Kia is on defense, they will need to be even more effective than usual on offense. They shot horribly in their previous game, and should be raring to redeem themselves in this game. For Kia to have a shot at beating ALA today, they cannot afford to put up bricks.
Last game: KIA 36.5 FG%, PUR 49.3 FG%
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