(CNN Philippines) — KIA Carnival scored their first victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup at the expense of San Miguel Beer, 83-78, Wednesday (May 6) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In tow was Alex Nuyles, who finished with career-high 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field.
Nuyles dropped eight of his total output in the fourth period including a free throw and a breakaway layup in the final minute that quelled the Beermen’s comeback hopes, 81-75.
In their next possession, KIA import Hamady N’Diyae put the stranglehold on the victory with a pair of shots from the foul line.
For KIA assistant coach Chito Victolero, it was N’Diyae’s defense that spelled the difference.
“Yung import namin is a big factor on defense,” Victolero said of the 7-foot Senegalese reinforcement, who scattered game-high 21 points on top of two steals and four blocks.
In fact, N’Diyae made life miserable for reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, who was limited to a putrid 11 points and went scoreless in the final quarter.
“We want to be the no. 1 defensive team. With the help of the import, we can do that. I also challenged everyone to give their best on defense,” Victolero said.
KIA’s Asian import, Jet Chang, also made a good account of himself with 14 points.
Alex Cabagnot led San Miguel’s surge from a 12-point hole with 18 points including two three-pointers in an outburst bridging the third and fourth quarters that turned a catch-up game into a slugfest.
San Miguel import Arizona Reid added 17 points, while Marcio Lassiter added 12.
