The San Miguel Beermen are streaking while the Meralco Bolts are on a skid. Will the Beermen drink to win this Saturday for the third time in a row? Or, will the Bolts win their first game with their new import?

Catch this game live on Saturday,  October 29 at 4:30 pm, Manila time.

Meralco Bolts (1-5)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Aaron Black
  • SG: Chris Newsome
  • SF: Allein Maliksi
  • PF: Cliff Hodge
  • C: Jessie Govan

The Bolts are not looking good of late, having lost all of their last three games. In the team’s last game, Meralco lost to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 113-96. But they could be on the verge of turning the corner, with a new import coming to town. Former Georgetown Hoyas center Jessie Govan is Meralco’s import replacement for Johnny O’Bryant. 

Perhaps Govan will bring a much more positive attitude to Meralco, but as far as talent goes, he’s someone who can definitely get buckets while also stretching the floor. In his final season with the Hoyas, he led the team that also had James Akinjo, who became champ with Baylor, and Mac McClung in scoring with 17.5 points per game while shooting 41.2 percent from deep. He and the Bolts will be facing San Miguel’s defense that is third-worst this conference with 105.8 points allowed per game.

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San Miguel Beermen (3-3)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Chris Ross (questionable)
  • SG: CJ Perez
  • SF: Marcio Lassiter (questionable)
  • PF:  Devon Scott
  • C: Mo Tautuaa

Despite missing a few key pieces, the Beermen found a way to beat the NorthPort Batang Pier in their last game, 104-86. San Miguel did not have Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter in the win over NorthPort with the former dealing with a swollen knee and the latter put under health and safety protocols. We can consider those two questionable to play Saturday, but in any case, San Miguel will have the tandem of CJ Perez and import Devon Scott to lead the way.

 So far this season, Perez is averaging 18.0 points on 46.8 percent shooting, while Scott appears to have finally settled in his comfort zone in the PBA after a cold start to his PBA career. Scott has scored 51 points on 50 percent shooting with 26 rebounds in his last two games. San Miguel’s depth has been handy for the team this season too, with the likes of Simon Encisco, Jericho Cruz, and Robbie Herndon stepping up. The three combined for 39 points in the NorthPort meeting.

PREDICTION:

Spread: Meralco (+2.5)covers the spread.

Over/Under: The total (200)hits the Over.

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