KIA Motors' import Peter John Ramos gives his San Miguel Beer counterpart Ronald Roberts a stare down on his way to the basket Wednesday night during their PBA Commissioner's Cup match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The highly underrated KIA Motors Carnival rocked the league with the biggest upset of the season, bringing down the rusty Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen, 78-68, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday. Almost incredibly, the expansion club led all the way, even as high as 18 points, 65-47, in the third quarter. The Carnival sustained its fire in the fourth quarter even when its gigantic import, 7'3” Peter John Ramos, fouled out with still about four minutes left in the game. It was KIA Motors' first win in the conference and just the second for the season after its victory over fellow expansion club Blackwater Elite nearly four months ago during the last Philippine Cup. Ramos led the Carnival with 22 points and eight rebounds. Remarkably, this was even his lowest output this conference after averaging 37.5 points and 20.5 rebounds in his first two games. Ramos scored just four points the entire second half. But the Puerto Rican import drew huge support from the local Carnival, led by LA Revilla who finished with 12 points, five rebounds and six assists and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Mark Yee contributed 11 points and collared nine boards, while JR Cawaling punched in 10 markers, including a key basket in the final minute that sealed the victory for KIA Motors. New pickup Leo Avenido also contributed in the win with nine points and two boards. Kia shot a sharp 6-for-11 from three-point range and held a 27-15 edge on rebounds in the first half alone. The Beermen managed to slash KIA's lead to two, 69-71, late in the final quarter, but the Carnival played with remarkable poise to keep the Beermen at bay. Playing coach Manny Pacquiao was not around to savor his team's huge victory since he was still in the United States after getting stuck up by a winter storm. But Pacquiao was watching the game on television and was on the phone at halftime to encourage his players to sustain their aggressive plays. The San Miguel Beermen were led by June Mar Fajardo and import Ronald Roberts with 18 points apiece. The newly arrived Roberts also had 22 rebounds while Fajardo collared eight boards. Arwind Santos added 14 points but shot just 7-of-23 from the field. Meralco 91, Talk N Text 83 The Meralco Bolts drew solid contribution from their locals to beat the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 91-83, as they took solo leadership of the conference with their third straight win. The Texters suffered their first defeat after two wins. Meralco import Josh Davis was good for only eight points, but his local teammates carried the cudgels, led by Gary David with 17 points. John Wilson added 12 markers while Cliff Hodge and Mike Cortez chipped in with 11 points apiece. Import Richard Howell led the Texters with 24 points while Jayson Castro contributed 18 points. Ranidel de Ocampo added 11 points. Games Friday: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier; Blackwater Elite vs. Purefoods Star Hotshots.
