Will Pacquiao's Kia PBA Team Make a Playoff Breakthrough This Season?

As I sit here analyzing the latest PBA box scores, I can't help but wonder about the team that's been capturing everyone's attention - Manny Pacquiao's Kia franchise. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen teams rise and fall, but there's something particularly intriguing about this squad. The recent NLEX game where we saw Bahio and Torres both drop 14 points while Ramirez and Policarpio added 13 each makes me think about the competitive landscape Kia is navigating this season.

Looking at that NLEX performance - 91 points with such balanced scoring - really puts things in perspective for me. When I compare that to Kia's typical offensive output, there's clearly a gap that needs bridging. What strikes me most is how NLEX managed to distribute their scoring so effectively across multiple players. Bahio and Torres leading with 14 each, followed closely by Ramirez and Policarpio at 13, then Semerad contributing 12 - that's the kind of balanced attack that wins games consistently. Kia, in my observation, has been relying too heavily on one or two key players, and that's simply not sustainable if they want to make a serious playoff push.

From my experience covering the league, teams that make deep playoff runs typically have at least three players averaging double figures. Looking at NLEX's box score, they had five players scoring 12 or more points in that single game! That's the blueprint Kia should be studying. I remember watching Kia's last game where their second unit struggled to contribute, and that's exactly where they're losing ground against teams like NLEX, who got meaningful contributions from their bench players like Alas with 7 points and Valdez with 6.

The defensive side tells another story that worries me. When I see NLEX holding opponents while still putting up 91 points, it shows they've found that crucial balance between offense and defense. Kia's defensive rotations have looked sluggish in the games I've attended, and their transition defense has been particularly concerning. They're giving up too many easy baskets in fast break situations, which completely undermines their offensive efforts.

What really gives me hope for Kia, though, is their resilience. I've noticed they play with incredible heart in the fourth quarter, which suggests the coaching staff is doing something right in terms of conditioning and mental preparation. However, heart alone doesn't win playoff spots - execution does. They need to improve their ball movement and reduce turnovers, especially against disciplined defensive teams like NLEX who capitalized on every mistake in that 91-point performance.

The three-point shooting differential is another area that keeps me up at night when analyzing Kia's playoff chances. In today's PBA, you simply can't compete without consistent outside shooting. Looking at NLEX's balanced scoring, I suspect they were getting good looks from beyond the arc, though the exact numbers aren't in front of me right now. Kia's perimeter players need to step up and knock down open shots with more consistency if they want to stretch defenses and create driving lanes.

I've always believed that playoff teams are built during practice sessions, not just in games. From what I've gathered through my sources around the league, Kia's practice intensity has increased significantly this season, but they need to translate that into game execution. The margin for error in the PBA is razor-thin, and when I see teams like NLEX executing their sets so precisely en route to 91 points, it highlights the work still needed.

Personally, I think Kia's playoff hopes hinge on their ability to develop a reliable second unit. Looking at how NLEX got contributions from 11 different players in that game, with even their deeper reserves like Marcelo scoring and Rodger seeing minutes, that's the kind of roster depth that sustains teams through the grueling PBA season. Kia's bench production has been inconsistent at best, and that needs to change quickly.

The coaching strategy will be crucial down the stretch. In my years covering the league, I've seen how strategic adjustments between games can make or break a team's playoff chances. Kia's coaching staff needs to study games like that NLEX performance carefully - not just the scoring totals, but how they created those opportunities, the offensive sets they ran, and how they involved all five players in their half-court offense.

As we approach the business end of the season, every game becomes increasingly important. Based on what I've seen, I'd give Kia about a 40% chance of making the playoffs this season. They have the talent, but they need to put together complete games more consistently. The 91-point performance by NLEX that we discussed earlier should serve as both a warning and an inspiration - it shows what's possible with proper execution and balanced scoring, while also demonstrating the level Kia needs to reach.

Ultimately, I believe Kia's fate will be determined in close games. Their performance in clutch situations has been mediocre this season, and that needs to improve dramatically. Playoff basketball often comes down to who executes better in the final five minutes, and based on current evidence, Kia has significant work to do in this department. But in this league, stranger things have happened, and with Manny Pacquiao's fighting spirit somehow infused into this team, I wouldn't count them out just yet.