AFTER a lackluster maiden campaign in the PBA, KIA's ballclub is making a name change.

A top official told Spin.ph on Friday that the Columbian Autocar Corp. franchise is changing its team moniker from Sorento to Carnival beginning in the Commissioner's Cup unfolding on Tuesday.

The Carnival is Kia's most sought after family van unit that is a fusion of a sedan and a multi-seater vehicle.

Team manager Eric Pineda told Spin.ph team management decided to make the name switch to give its product bigger mileage in time for the release of the 2015 model of the popular KIA Carnival in March.

"Maganda kasi ang naging impact ng Sorento sa sales ng Kia, kaya we want to use naman Carnival in time for its 2015 model release," said Pineda.

"Sa March kasi lalabas ang mga bagong design ng Carnival, kaya the management saw the use of Carnival sa PBA team namin as timely," added the amiable longtime Team Pacquiao official.

Continue reading below ↓

With the sudden change, Pineda bared they are now in a rush to submit to the PBA the team's new jersey designs.

The uniform, according to Pineda, will have slight changes in the design as the jerseys the team wore for the Philippine Cup jersey was patterned after the front of the Sorento.

Continue reading below ↓ Recommended Videos

"Magkakaroon kami ng bagong itsura ng jersey. Pero yung colorway niya, 'yun pa rin. Kasi pula at puti naman talaga ang kulay ng team," Pineda said.

Pineda said the ballclubmight revert to the Sorento moniker in the season-ending Governors Cup as the new model of the car company's top of the line SUV line will be rolled out in the last quarter of the year.

"Baka bumalik kami sa Sorento," he said.

Kia opened its campaign in the pro league with a stunning upset win over fellow expansion ballclub Blackwater Elite in the season opener at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last March.

Continue reading below ↓

However, the ballclub owned by Governor Pepito Alvarez lost its next 10 games.

Meanwhile, Pineda bared that Pacquiao will now have a more active role in the team with newly named consultant and legendary national coach Joe Lipa sitting at the back of the bench.