The towering PJ Ramos turned in a monster performance to power Kia to yet another huge win as the Carnival smothered the Alaska Aces, 103-89, yesterday in the 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 7-foot-3 Ramos punished Alaska with 36 points and 33 rebounds in a dominating performance that keyed Kia’s fourth win in nine games.
Kia has previously won against powerhouse teams San Miguel, Purefoods and Talk ‘N Text.
Kia pulled away from Alaska with a torrid fourth quarter run, where it outscored Alaska, 21-7.
Alaska continued to struggle as it tasted its fifth loss with only two wins to show. The Aces have now lost their last three games.
Apart from getting superb performance from Ramos, Kia also got solid games from its locals.
Karl Dehesa fired 14 points, JR Cawaling unloaded 13, while fast-rising point guard LA Revilla collected 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Ramos already had 27 points and 21 rebounds after three quarters of play, leading Kia to a 77-67 lead entering the fourth.
The Aces tried to turn things around as it staged a 9-0 run to come to within a single point.
Kia, just in its second conference as an expansion team, pulled away from Alaska behind the crucial plays of Dehesa, Cervantes and Rich Alvarez, who helped their team surge to a 102-84 lead in the closing minutes.
Sonny Thoss marked his return from an injury with 18 points for Alaska.
BOX SCORES
KIA (103) – Ramos 36, Dehesa 14, Cawaling 13, Revilla 10, Cervantes 6, Avenido 6, Buensuceso 5, Thiele 4, Alvarez 3, Poligrates 2, Pascual 2, Yee 2, Webb 0.
ALASKA (89) – James 25, Thoss 16, Baguio 14, Abueva 11, Banchero 7, Manuel 6, Jazul 4, Dela Cruz 4, Eman 2, Dela Rosa 0, Exciminiano 0.