Kia out to showcase products of Standhardinger trade

Games Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan)

4:15 p.m. – Kia vs NLEX

7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – The Kia Picanto will finally show what they can do with their new acquisitions in exchange for their top draft pick as they take on the NLEX Road Warriors in the second play date of the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup at The Arena in San Juan Wednesday.

Ridiculed for giving away Christian Standhardinger, the Picanto are determined to prove their critics wrongs, hoping they can get a winning start with a lineup featuring trade acquisitions JR Reyes, Ronald Tubid, Rashawn McCarthy, free agent recruit Dylan Ababou plus rookies JonJon Gabriel, Jan Jamon and Roldan Sara.

They play the Road Warriors at 4:15 p.m. preceding the 7 p.m. setto between the Magnolia Hotshots and the Alaska Milk Aces.

Though believing his team has improved, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao is wary of Kia “because they have something to prove in view of their draft decisions.”

“It’s always dangerous playing against a team with something to prove. And they also had strong performances in the offseason,” said Guiao.

NLEX is considered a dark horse with its strong showing from the last Governors Cup to the preseason games.

Improving on their acquisition of Larry Fonacier, Cyrus Baguio, Alex Mallari, JR Quinahan and Juami Tiongson, the Road Warriors gained added firepower and court savvy in netting Kiefer Ravena from the recent rookie draft.

“We feel we have a competitive team this year,” said Guiao.

In the other game, the Hotshots and the Aces clash in a duel between teams — both without a crown for quite some time now — raring to get back to the top.

They have their own exciting rivalry from the 90s.

“It seems like over the past few years, Alaska and Magnolia have always had good, hard fought games. I don’t expect this to be any different,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

The Hotshots will be the underdogs, though, with their health woes.

“My team is not complete because of injuries to Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis and Robert Herndon. But we’re ready to deal with it. Our remaining players just have to step up,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

Even with their injury-riddled lineup last year, the Hotshots competed well and made the Final Four in all three conferences last season.

They went a game short of making the All-Filipino finale and also booked Top Four finishers in the next two conferences.

The Aces were hit harder by injuries, causing the team to scramble all season long.

Compton and his troops actually showed a good promise in the Philippine Cup only to blow away a twice-to-beat advantage versus Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.

They then struggled with just four wins in the Commissioner’s Cup and only three victories in the Governors Cup. They failed to make the playoffs on both occasions.

They hope three prized new recruits could help the team back to prominence.

In Jeron Teng, Ronald Pascual and Davon Potts, the Aces have gained added offensive threats and muscle at the paint.

There will also be new faces on the Alaska bench with Eric Altamirano and Danny Ildefonso enlisted to join Compton’s staff on the exit of Louie Alas and Topex Robinson.

Also added in the Alaska brain trust is longtime Alaska skipper Tony dela Cruz.