The Meralco Bolts look to handle the sneaky Converge FiberXers and their high-scoring import, Scotty Hopson.

Catch the game this Wednesday, September 4th, at 5:00 PM.

Meralco Bolts (3-1)

Projected starting five:

  • Christopher Banchero
  • Allein Maliksi
  • Chris Newsome (day-to-day)
  • Allen Durham
  • Raymond Almazan

The Bolts come in as winners of two in a row after having beaten Northport Batang Pier this past Sunday, 109-99. It was the Allen Durham and Chris Banchero show for Meralco as both have established quite the rhythm for tomorrow

As per usual, Durham was efficient and effective, muscling his way into a near-triple-double with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and nine rebounds on 13-of-17 shooting. He should be inspired to produce as such Wednesday while playing against Converge’s high-octane import.

The small-but-terrible Banchero, meanwhile, played big with 23 points and eight boards, true to his shooting and hustle-filled style of play. Bong Quinto (18 pts, 6 rebs, 3 ast) had a good outing this past Sunday and may also carry some momentum.

Chris Newsome returned from injury and shot a horrid 3-of-12 for eight points, but slightly made up for it by dishing out six assists. We’ll see if he can shoot better in his second game back.

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Converge FiberXers (2-2)

Starting five:

  • Alex Cabagnot
  • Alec Stockton
  • Scotty Hopson
  • Kevin Racal
  • Justin Arana

The FiberXers are eyeing a bounce back game as they are on the heels of a rough, 135-109 loss to Northport Batang Pier, where they surrendered 51 points to Arvin Tolentino.The defense isn’t looking good for this matchup and should look to be more aggressive facing a bull like Allen Durham, someone who can most definitely pile points on defenses at any given time. 

Converge has its own monster import, though, in Scotty Hopson, a polished offensive weapon who has a sweet jumper and an ability to score from pretty much anywhere, as evidenced in his multiple 40-point games this conference. Much like our forecast on Durham, he may play extra inspired with his counterpart being a stat-stuffer.

Playmaker Alec Stockton (19 pts, 6 rebs, 5 ast, 3 stls vs NOR) and big man Justin Arana (16 pts, 9 rebs, 3 ast vs NOR) will be among the locals who should be able to keep supporting Hopson. Look out for those two.

PICKS:

Spread: Converge (+6.5)

Over/Under: Over (200.5) 

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