Looking back at my years covering the PBA, I’ve always been fascinated by how certain players manage to stand out not just through raw talent, but through sheer will and what some might call “thick skin.” That phrase actually reminds me of something I once heard from a young athlete during his collegiate days at National University: “Ever since naman pumasok ako ng NU, kinakapalan ko lang yung mukha ko.” It’s a mindset that resonates deeply when you look at the current Kia team lineup this season. You see, in a league as competitive as the PBA, talent alone won’t cut it—you need that fearless, almost stubborn approach to growth, and I think Kia’s roster embodies that spirit in more ways than one.
Let’s start with their backcourt. I’ve got to say, I’m particularly impressed by the way their veteran point guard, let’s call him JV Casio for argument’s sake, has adapted his game this year. At 35 years old, you’d expect a decline, but he’s averaging around 12.5 points and 6 assists per game, showing that experience can still dominate when paired with resilience. Then there’s the young gun, Aljon Mariano—now this guy plays with the kind of audacity that makes you sit up and take notice. He reminds me of players who just refuse to be intimidated, much like that NU athlete I mentioned earlier. Mariano’s mid-range game has improved dramatically; he’s hitting about 48% from that area, which is no small feat given the defensive pressure he faces night in and night out. Watching him, I can’t help but feel he’s one of those players who’s going to break out in a big way sooner rather than later.
Moving to the frontcourt, Kia’s big men bring a mix of finesse and brute force that I find really compelling. Take Raymond Almazan, for example. Standing at 6’8”, he’s not just a shot-blocking presence—he’s averaging 2.1 blocks per game—but he’s also developed a reliable hook shot that’s become a go-to in clutch moments. Personally, I think his partnership with the newly acquired Justin Melton is one of the most underrated duos in the league. Melton, though not the tallest, uses his athleticism to grab rebounds you wouldn’t expect, pulling down roughly 7 per game despite being just 6’2”. It’s that kind of unexpected contribution that makes analyzing this team so rewarding. I’ve always believed that teams thrive when players embrace their roles without ego, and Kia’s frontcourt seems to be doing exactly that.
Of course, no analysis would be complete without touching on their coaching dynamics. Head coach Tim Cone’s system relies heavily on ball movement and defensive discipline, and from what I’ve observed, the players are buying in. They’re averaging around 22 assists per game as a unit, which speaks volumes about their unselfish play. But let’s be real—there are still gaps. Their three-point shooting, for instance, hovers at just 32%, and in today’s pace-and-space era, that’s an area they’ll need to address if they want to make a deep playoff run. Still, I appreciate how they’re maximizing what they have, leaning on that “kinakapalan ko lang yung mukha ko” attitude to push through tough matchups.
Wrapping it up, Kia’s lineup this season strikes me as a blend of seasoned wisdom and youthful fearlessness. They might not be the favorites on paper, but in my view, they’ve got the intangibles—the grit, the adaptability, and that thick-skinned mentality—to surprise a lot of people. As the season progresses, I’ll be keeping a close eye on how they evolve, especially their younger players who seem poised to take that next step. After all, in the PBA, it’s often the teams that play with heart, not just skill, that leave a lasting impression.
