They came into the game as proud owners of two big wins against powerhouse teams San Miguel Beermen and Purefoods Star Hotshots.
Add the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to the list.
The Kia Carnival scored another huge upset after they brought down the Tropang Texters, 106-103, yesterday in the continuing action of the 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Kia followed up their 95-84 win over grand slam winner Purefoods to tally its first winning streak in franchise history. The Carnival’s other win came at the expense of newly crowned Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer, 88-78.
Moving up to eighth place in the standings with a 3-4 (win-loss) record, Kia got monster numbers from towering import PJ Ramos, who finished with 24 points, 25 rebounds and nine assists.
Hyram Bagatsing, Leo Avenido, Kyle Pascual, Reil Cervantes and JR Buensuceso all scored in double figures to combine for 67 points.
Bagatsing finished with 21 points on six-for-seven shooting from three-point land. Avenido cashed in 16 points shot four-for-six from three-point territory.
Playing-coach Manny Pacquiao saw action in the second quarter but it was there that the Tropang Texters threatened to pull away as they erected a 39-22 lead.
Kia, however, came back quickly and ended the first half down by just a point, 50-51.
The Carnivals sustained the momentum and led by as many as nine points in the fourth, 91-82.
Talk ‘N Text staged its own fightback and tied the contest at 98-all with 2:33 left.
Kia, however, showed the needed poise with Ramos scoring five points in a 7-0 run as the Carnivals took a 105-98 lead with 1:13 left.
Kia could only score one point after that but escaped just the same when Talk ‘N Text bungled crucial shots down the stretch.
Jayson Castro scored 24 points and Ivan Johnson tallied 21 as the Tropang Texters saw their three-game win streak come to an end to drop to 5-2.
BOX SCORES
KIA (106)- Ramos 24, Bagatsing 21, Avenido 16, Pascual 10, Cervantes 10, Buensuceso 10, Revilla 5, Dehesa 5, Cawaling 3, Alvarez 2, Thiele 0, Poligrates 0, Pacquiao 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT (103)- Castro 24, Johnson 21, Fonacier 13, Rosser 12, Aban 12, De Ocampo 11, Reyes 6, Alas 4, Carey 0, Miller 0, Espiritu 0.QUARTERSCORES: 22-33; 50-51; 78-76; 106-103.