Kia adds TnT to ‘send-off’ list

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Rain or Shine

7 p.m. – Meralco vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines - Out to give playing coach Manny Pacquiao the best send-off they could for his Floyd Mayweather buildup, the Kia Carnival carved out yet another king-sized victory, trouncing the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 106-103, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Playing the first of their last two games before Pacquiao leaves for his US training, the Carnival put up a heads-up game spiked by a franchise-record and season-best 18 three-pointers as they shocked the Texters a week after stunning the defending champs Purefoods Star Hotshots, 95-84.

The Carnival’s first back-to-back victories in their young PBA history jacked up the team’s win-loss record to 3-4 in the mid-season tourney – already a big improvement from their Philippine Cup showing where they nailed just a single win in 11 matches.

And they’re determined to make it three in a row versus fellow PBA newcomer Blackwater in their game at The Arena in San Juan on Saturday.

“Kailangan pa rin maglaro para ganahan ang team (I still need to play to pump up the team),” said Pacquiao, confident he won’t get hurt playing basketball.

“Alam naman natin ang ginagawa natin – sa labas lang, playing safe (We know what we’re doing. I’m just playing from the outside to be safe),” said Pacquiao, going 0-of-2 from the field in his second straight game in the tourney.

Going to the All-Star break, Barangay Ginebra warded off Blackwater, 89-82, to move up to the upper half of the chart with a 4-3 record.

“It’s a crucial win that could well help build our confidence before we take a rest during the All-Star Week. And we have a momentum to ride on as we play again on March 11 (against NLEX),” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.