The Magnolia Chicken Hotshots Timplados are starting to play like a serious championship contender again, but can they sustain their form when they meet the Blackwater Bossing, who are growing desperate for a win? Read on for more about this intriguing Magnolia-Blackwater showdown.

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  April 17 at 7:30pm, Manila time.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (3-2)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Paul Lee 
  • Jio Jalalon
  • Joseph Eriobu
  • Abu Jahal Tratter
  • James Laput

The rest of the PBA better look out because the Hotshot are starting to gain momentum. After back-to-back losses to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the NLEX Road Warriors, the Hotshots are now on a two-game win streak. They first defeated the NorthPort Batang Pier on Apr. 10, 104-97 then took down the Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters last Sunday, 107-93. 

It seems like Magnolia is back – along with its offense. They have scored at least 100 points in consecutive games for the first time in the conference in wins over NorthPort and Phoenix and could continue that streak this Wednesday versus a Blackwater squad that has allowed an average of 107.5 points in the last two outings. Ian Sangalang and Marc Barroca are surely looking forward to sustaining their terrific form after scoring 23 and 27 points, respectively, in the Phoenix game.

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Blackwater Bossing (3-4)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Rey Nambatac
  • Tyrus Hill
  • Rey Suerte
  • Troy Rosario
  • Bradwyn Guinto

The Bossing are now under .500 after starting the season undefeated in three games. Blackwater’s surprising downturn continues, as they suffered a 105-86 loss last Friday at the hands of Ginebra. The Bossing’s downfall versus the Barangay was largely due to the lack of production from their starters. Troy Rosario and Rey Nambatac combined for 22 points in that game, while the other three starters only had 11 points in total. 

That’s not going to cut it for Blackwater, which is only 10th so far in the conference in the league with just 92.9 points per game. However, James Kwekuteye came off the bench and led Blackwater with 20 points, so he probably just earned a starting role for this meeting with Magnolia. Hopefully for Blackwater, Rosario, Nambatac, and also Rey Suerte, who only had six points in the loss to Ginebra, will get it going again versus a Hotshots squad that let Phoenix go 14/41 from deep. 

PICKS

Spread: Blackwater Bossing (+11.5)

Over/Under: Over (183.5)

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