PBA: 41-point, 20-rebound game from import not enough to carry Kia to win

 

Kia import Peter John Ramos put up explosive numbers in his PBA debut on Tuesday, finishing with 41 points and 20 rebounds in Carnival's 100-89 loss to GlobalPort.

 

The 7-foot-4 Puerto Rican center dominated the post, shooting a 15-of-23 clip and drawing 16 fouls to go 11-of-13 from the charity stripe.

 

Asked about what he thought of the physicality of the league, Ramos shrugged it off with familiarity based on his extensive experience playing abroad.

 

"I'm cool. I'm a veteran and I played around the world. I'm used to this," he said. "Basketball is basketball in any country. I'm just happy to be here and just play hard."

 

Ramos brought out his best guns in the second half, scoring 26 points to help Kia close the swelling gap Batang Pier erected in the second quarter. The Carnival trimmed the lead to just seven points late in the fourth quarter, but their efforts fell short.

 

"It wasn't enough but next game we should be ready," the former Washington Wizards player said of his performance. "I think in the first game some of the players were nervous."

 

Ramos played 46 minutes on the floor for Kia, but he said he did not mind the extended playing time in order to help the team catch up.

 

"It's not the first time I played overseas. I'm used to it," he said.

 

The 29-year-old import played for Puerto Rico's national team in 2003, and has also seen action in Chinese and Korean leagues. — JST, GMA News