It’s a big day for the NLEX Road Warriors this Sunday, as they are about to play a crucial game against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. The Road Warriors are still in pursuit of a playoff spot, and a win against Ginebra will give their postseason ambitions a boost. Will NLEX score a huge win? Or, will Ginebra end its elimination campaign with a victory?

Catch this game live on Sunday,  September 22 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

NLEX Road Warriors (4-5)

Projected Starting Five:

• Robert Bolick
• Richie Rodger
• Enoch Valdez
• Michael Miranda
• DeQuan Jones

Robert Bolick and the Road Warriors finally arrested a debilitating skid and in the process stayed in the hunt for the last playoff spot in Group B, as they defeated the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday, 104-79. DeQuan Jones led the charge for NLEX, as he scored 27 points. He was a perfect 2/2 from behind the second arc and 2/6 from the 3-point distance. His range can spell trouble for Ginebra, which has yet to face him this conference. 

Mycheal Henry was still NLEX’s import when the Road Warriors lost to the Barangay on Sept. 3, 119-91. Jones could be the better fit alongside Bolick. Their chemistry will be put to the test in a do-or-die matchup this Sunday. The former San Beda Red Lions star had 19 points in the first meeting with the Barangay on an efficient 8/11 shooting from the floor. How the Road Warriors will manage their turnovers could decide their playoff fate. They had 17 turnovers in the loss to Ginebra.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (6-3)

Projected Starting Five:

• Scottie Thompson
• Maverick Ahanmisi
• Stephen Holt
• Justin Brownlee
• Japeth Aguilar

Like the Road Warriors, Ginebra ripped Phoenix in its most recent outing. With RJ Abarrientos firing on all cylinders coming off the bench, the Barangay defeated the Fuel Masters last Wednesday, 112-96. It’s Abarrientos’ highest-scoring game so far in his PBA career, and he could sustain his terrific form on offense when the Barangay face NLEX again. The former FEU Tamaraw star guard usually comes off the bench, giving Ginebta an elite weapon to further punish opposing defenses. 

As for the starters, it’s going to be the usual suspects for the Barangay this Sunday, with the likes of Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson expected to start in the rematch against NLEXT. Brownlee should be a favorite to outplay NLEX’s import given his immense familiarity with Ginebra’s locals and the style of play in the PBA. That said, he didn’t even need to score a ton in Ginebra’s win over the Road Warriors where he only had 13 points on six attempts from the field.

Picks

Spread: Ginebra (-6.5)

Over/Under: Over (206.5)