PBA: Kia a 'different' team now after hiring new players, says Barako Bull coach Koy Banal

PBA: Kia a 'different' team now after hiring new players, says Barako Bull coach Koy Banal
Kia Carnival absorbed its third loss against one win in the Commissioner's Cup after Barako Bull dealt them a 95-86 beating on Sunday, but for Energy coach Koy Banal, the team has changed more than just its PBA moniker.

Going by Kia Sorento last conference, the expansion team finished the Philippine Cup with a 1-10 record, just one win shy of the bottom of standings occupied by Blackwater. Now, however, the Manny Pacquiao-mentored squad seems to have shed that lowly performance off their skins.

Kia opened the mid-season conference with a 0-2 record as they fell to GlobalPort and Meralco in their first two games, but completed a huge upset against Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beer to break into the win column.

"After seeing their games, especially 'yung last game nila against San Miguel, Kia is a different Kia," said Barako head coach Koy Banal. Barako won comfortably in the end against the Carnival, but not without experiencing a scare as Kia came within three, 77-74, in the fourth quarter.

The team is enjoying the services of 7-foot-4 import PJ Ramos, but more than his dominance in the post, Banal said the players added by the franchise to their roster has changed Kia's game.

"The coaching staff of Kia is doing a good job there, foremost hiring players na sina (Leo) Avenido, (JR) Cawaling, and Mark (Yee). They gave them a different look," said the Barako mentor.

Veteran guard Avenido, who came back from a stint in the ASEAN Basketball League, provided stability in the Kia back court teeming with young guards. They acquired a sniper in Cawaling who can score from the outside, while Yee bolstered their defense.

"We've seen this even before the pre-season, before the conference started when we played them," Banal said. The two teams played a tune-up in the off-season, but the game was halted due an altercation between Ramos and Banal, and a few other players.

Banal credited Kia's improvement to assistant coach Chito Victolero and head coach Manny Pacquiao, who is now playing a more active role in the bench with no fight yet to prepare for compared to last conference.

"I believe they are inspiring their players to work the extra mile. Their players are really giving their best dito sa last three games nila." - RAF, GMA News