KIA leaned on its imports in dispatching a pesky Blackwater side, 83-76, in double overtime to claim a share of second place in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Hamady N’Diaye bounced back from a poor effort with a near triple-double game, while Asian reinforcement Jet Chang carried the scoring load for the Carnival, who tabbed their third win in four outings and tie Alaska at the No. 2 position.
N’Diaye finished with 16 points, 23 rebounds and nine blocks as he won his personal battle against Elite import Marcus Douthit, who also had an impressive showing of 16 points, 16 boards and six swats.
But it was Chang’s game-long brilliance that kept Kia afloat. Taiwanese shooter finished with a game-high 25 points.
“I told the players in the second overtime that it’s about effort and willingness to win that will matter,” said Kia Acting Coach Chito Victolero, who led the new franchise to its best start. “I’m proud of the players because they didn’t give up even though they were experiencing cramps.”
N’Diaye had a six-game output in the Carnival’s 85-82 squeaker over NLEX but was dominating against Blackwater, which failed to nail its first back-to-back victories in the league. The Elite dropped to 1-4 in the standings.
N’Diaye’s two-handed slam highlighted Kia’s 9-2 scoring in second overtime as the Elite lost steam in the end.
Blackwater guard Brian Heruela had the chance to win the game in regulation but missed a drive that pegged the score at 72-all.
Both teams scored just two points in first overtime and Chang had a chance to win the game for Kia but missed a jumper.
It was all Carnival in the next five minutes as N’Diaye and Karl Dehesa joined forces in leading the team to their third win—and second victory in pulsating fashion.
“The players have gained enough experience to win close games,” Victolero said. “I’m happy lahat ng pinaghihirapan namin, lumalabas. Sana magtuluy-tuloy.”
Kia built a 15-point lead in the first half but Blackwater made a run and even took a 52-50 lead entering the fourth period. It was a see-saw battle from there with Hyram Bagatsing, the hero in their victory over the Road Warriors, hitting a running jumper for a 72-70 lead with 27.8 ticks left in regulation.
Heruela tied the count on a drive, 72-all, and after Chang’s missed jumper, Heruela had a chance to become a hero but muffed a potential game-winner as time expired.
Barako Bull, meanwhile, stakes its unbeaten record against San Miguel Beer in the opener on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The league-leading Energy (4-0) clash with the streaking Beermen (3-2) at 4:15 p.m. to be followed by the tussle between bitter rivals Alaska (3-1) and the skidding Star Hotshots (1-3) at 7 p.m.
“I think we’re all kind of talked out. There’s not a whole lot left to say, but there’s a lot of doing to be done,” said Hotshots Head Coach Tim Cone, whose team is entering the game with a three-game losing streak.
“We’re hopeful we can show up and get things done and come out with a win. We can’t afford to fall behind any further,” Cone added.
Since winning its opening assignment, the Star has dropped its last three games the last one an 89-100 loss to the Beermen.
They will be facing the dangerous Aces, whose three-game winning streak was snapped by Talk ‘N Text, 103-104.
Image credits: PBA Image