Game recap (adapted from Interkasyon):
BARAKO BULL over NLEX ROAD WARRIORS, 101-96
Box scores.
Barako Bull Energy opened their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign on a high note as import Liam McMorrow and JC Intal led the team to a 101-96 win over NLEX on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 7-foot-2 McMorrow had an impressive debut with 33 points and 22 rebounds, while Intal scored 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Energy.
Dylan Ababou added 16 points to back up Barako Bull’s duo.
Behind a strong first half from McMorrow, Barako Bull led by as many as 22 points, 47-25, in the second quarter. NLEX, though, came back and reclaimed the lead in the third quarter.
But the Road Warriors’ Asian import Michel Madanly suffered an injury to his neck and missed the entire fourth period, where Intal took over for the Energy.
McMorrow sealed the win with a big rebound and follow-up on a short jumper from teammate Chico Lanete. He caught the miss and turned it into an alley-oop to give Barako Bull a 101-96 lead with only 13 seconds remaining.
Madanly led NLEX with 26 points, all in the first three periods, while Kwame Alexander finished with 16 points and 10 boards.
Line of the Game: Liam McMorrow (BAR) - 33pts, 22rebs, 1stl, 11/14 FGs.
 |
| JC Intal had a whale of a game as Barako Bull upended NLEX. |
 |
| Liam McMorrow wowed everyone with his size and athleticism in his PBA debut. |
 |
| Michel Madanly scored 26 points in three quarters, but went out of the game due to a whiplash injury. |
KIA CARNIVAL over SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, 83-78
Box scores.
The Kia Carnival scored another upset of Philippine Cup champion San Miguel as they opened their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign with a big victory, 83-78, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Alex Nuyles scored a career-high 18 points and made a big play in the final minute, stealing the ball from San Miguel’s AZ Reid and scoring in transition to give Kia a six-point lead with 34.9 seconds remaining.
Senegalese Hamady N’Diaye finished with a team-high 21 points on 8-for-9 shooting, alongside seven rebounds and four blocks, while Kia’s Asian reinforcement, Jet Chang of Taiwan, finished with 14 points, eight of those in the fourth quarter.
Kia’s two imports both played key roles in the victory. N’Diaye set the tone for Kia early before getting a late boost from Chang on the offensive end.
In the first half, Kia held San Miguel to just 23.1% shooting from the field over the first two periods with N’Diaye protecting the rim. All four of his blocks came in the first half but he altered several others as the Carnival defense allowed only 30 points.
Chang, meanwhile came alive in the second half, where he scored all 14 of his points. He missed all three of his shots in the first half but went 6-for-12 the rest of the way.
Alex Cabagnot led SMB with 18 points, while AZ Reid added 17 markers and 10 boards. Reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo was limited to just 11 points on 3/11 FG shooting.
Line of the Game: Hamady N’Diaye (KIA) - 21pts, 6rebs, 4blks, 2stls, 1ast, 8/9 FGs.
 |
| Hamady N'Diaye more than held his own under the rim against June Mar Fajardo. |
 |
| Alex Cabagnot led the way for the losing side with 18 markers. |
 |
| Taiwanese star Jet Chang provided a huge spark in the second half for the Carnival. |
Images by the PBA.
Tweet
0 Comment