Kia tests ‘souped-up’ cast vs NLEX

Games today (The Arena, San Juan)

4:15 p.m. – Kia vs NLEX

7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines — The Kia Picanto hope for a win that could somehow cushion the impact of their controversial trade involving their blue-chip draftee as it faces NLEX in the second playdate of the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup at The Arena in San Juan today.

Reaping widespread reaction following their trade with San Miguel for Christian Standhardinger for three unfancied players, the Picanto seek to get off to a fast start with a roster 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.

Although NLEX coach Yeng Guiao feels he has a better team, he is also wary of Kia “because they have something to prove after their draft decisions.”

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

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

With the entry of Larry Fonacier, Cyrus Baguio, Alex Mallari, JR Quiñahan 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 of teams raring to get back to the top and end a long title spell.

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 injuries to a number of key players.

“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.

Despite their injury-riddled lineup last year, the Hotshots still made it to 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 finishes in the next two conferences.

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

Compton and his troops actually put up a good showing in the Philippine Cup but blew its twice-to-beat advantage against 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 their three prized new recruits could help the team back in the title hunt.

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 coaching staff is longtime Alaska skipper Tony dela Cruz.