Sister teams Meralco and NLEX are scheduled for an intriguing showdown this Sunday at the Philsports Arena. The Bolts will look to become just the third team to notch four wins in the conferencve. The Road Warriors, on the other hand, are targeting to score their first victory with a new import.

Catch this game live on Sunday,  December 3 at 3 pm, Manila time.

Meralco Bolts (3-1)

Projected Starting Five:

• Anjo Caram
• Chris Newsome
• Jansen Rios
• Clifford Hodge
• Suleiman Braimoh

After tasting their first defeat of the conference at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen (93-83), the Bolts recharged with a win right away, beating sister club TNT Tropang Giga last Sunday, 109-95. That shows resilience on Meralco’s part, which also has wins against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (107-102) and the Blackwater Bossing (91-84). 

Just like in previous conferences, the Bolts thrive with their stout defense. Although Meralco is just ninth in the league with 97.5 points per game, they are third overall with only 93.5 points given up per contest. The Bolts are also in the upper half of the table in terms of differential rating (+4.6).  Their defense should be a big thorn in the side of NLEX, which is still trying to adjust to playing with a new import and without the services of injured star Kevin Alas.

NLEX Road Warriors (2-3)

Projected Starting Five:

• Richard Rodger
• Kris Rosales
• Anthony Semerad
• Brandon Rosser
• Stokley Chaffee

It’s been a wild ride in the conference so far for the Road Warriors. They have alternated losses with wins this season, having yet to win or lose in consecutive fashion. If anything, that’s a trend that partly indicates success for NLEX, as the team is coming off a 99-72 loss to the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots on Friday.

 New import Stokley Chaffee led the Road Warriors in the loss to Magnolia with 23 points and 19 rebounds, a spectacular PBA debut nonetheless. Putting up those numbers against the best team in the league and on just his first game in the PBA was a terrific sign for Chaffee. The return of Brandon Rosser from injury also gives NLEX a boost. He only had seven points and three rebounds against Magnolia, but he can be better this Sunday, now that he’s shaken off the rust.

PREDICTION:

Spread: NLEX (+8.5) covers the spread.

Over/Under: The total (200.5) hits the Under.