The Meralco Bolts and the Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters will duke it out in the second game of a doubleheader at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Will the Bolts win their first game? Or, will the Fuel Masters remain undefeated after two games?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  July 15, 2026 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

Meralco Bolts (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jason Brickman
  • Chris Newsome
  • Bong Quinto
  • Cliff Hodge
  • Jordon Varnado 

Meralco will be making its conference debut in this game against a team the Bolts dominated in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Bolts defeated Phoenix twice last conference, winning both meetings by a combined margin of 17 points. 

This time around, they will also have fresher legs, with the Fuel Masters already having played a game. Meralco finished the last conference fourth in the standings with an 8-4 record. 

The Bolts eliminated the Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals before running into trouble in the semis, where they were thwarted in six games. Still, this Meralco squad is always a strong playoff contender, and it will look to make a strong statement right out of the gate this conference against a Phoenix side that turned heads with an impressive start to the conference.

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Tyler Tio
  • Kenneth Tuffin
  • Jason Perkins
  • Kai Ballungay
  • B.J. Johnson 

Phoenix showed what it’s made of early in the conference, as the Fuel Masters completed a 98-86 comeback win over the Hotshots last Saturday. The Fuel Masters fell behind Magnolia by as many as 16 points in the first half before roaring back to life to steal a victory. 

That seems like the kind of win that can galvanize a team that is not getting plenty of respect compared to others, and the Fuel Masters will look to sustain the momentum when it gets the opportunity to avenge their previous losses to the Bolts. 

Import B.J. Johnson showed Phoenix that the team can rely on him, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 boards with two steals and two blocks, while Jason Perkins added 23 points with two 3-pointers. The Fuel Masters hit 11 of their 19 attempts from behind the arc, sending a warning to Meralco about its perimeter capabilities.

Picks

Spread: Meralco Bolts (-6.5)

Over/Under: Under (190.5)