The conference-leading Magnolia Chicken Timplados will put their two-game win streak on the line this Wednesday against the San Miguel Beermen, who are still trying to claw their way back to .500. Will Magnolia victimize their sister team? Or, will the Beermen down a victory to move to 4-4?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  November 16 at 5:45 pm, Manila time.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados (7-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Paul Lee
  • SG: Mark Barroca
  • SF: Calvin Abueva
  • PF: Ian Sangalang
  • C: Nicholas Rakocevic

Magnolia is building momentum again.  After getting tripped up in a loss to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel late last October, the Chicken Timplados have gone 2-0, with wins over the Blackwater Bossing (91-69) and the Phoenix Fuel Masters (90-80). Magnolia’s defense has been astonishing this season. The Chicken Timplados are allowing just 91.1 points per game, the best mark in the PBA this conference. 

Teams are shooting just 41.9 FG% and 29.4 3FG% against Magnolia, which also features a lethal offense to match its defensive tenacity. Through eight games, the Chicken Timplados are averaging 100.1 points per game and 108.6 points per 100 possessions — both figures cracking the top 5. Import Nikola Radocevic has been an excellent fit for the Hotshots, as he is currently averaging 25.8 points and 17.9 rebounds per game.

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San Miguel Beermen (3-4)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Simon Enciso
  • SG: CJ Perez
  • SF: Marcio Lassiter
  • PF:  Devon Scott
  • C: Mo Tautuaa

The Beermen are coming off a heart-breaking 97-96 loss to Ginebra on Nov. 6. That loss took away San Miguel’s chance of netting their third win in a row, though, the loss still managed to show just how dangerous the Beermen remain even without Junemar Fajardo. In that game, import Devon Scott churned out 26 points to go with 21 rebounds, while CJ Perez had 19 points. Simon Enciso, meanwhile, scored 14 points. 

It was the second game in a row in which Enciso had 14 points, so he’s going to demand respect from Magnolia’s defense. That will be very much welcome for the likes of Scott and Perez, who are expected to draw the most attention from Ginebra’s stop unit. The Beermen’s offense has been clicking of late, having averaged 105 .3 points in their last three outings, while shooting 50 FG% in that stretch.

PREDICTION:

Spread: Magnolia (-2.5) covers the spread. 

Over/Under: The total (198.5) hits the Under.