The NLEX Road Warriors will finally play their first game in the 2024 Governors’ Cup, as they take on the Blackwater Bossing this Thursday in Cubao. The Bossing got crushed in their first game, but can they recover right away and prevent a 0-2 start? Or, will NLEX come out firing and snatch a win to kick off its schedule?

Catch this game live on Thursday,  August 22 at 5:00 pm, Manila time.

NLEX Road Warriors (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

• Robert Bolick
• Anthony Semerad
• Robbie Herndon
• Myke Henry
• Michael Miranda

Just like the PBA’s website, the Road Warriors are not winning. But that’s also because they haven’t played a game yet in this conference. Robert Bolick and the Road Warriors will begin their campaign this Thursday, as they look to pounce on a Blackwater squad that just got destroyed last Tuesday. Bolick is a man to watch for NLEX after leading the entire PBA in scoring in the last conference. 

During the 2024 Philippine Cup, the former San Beda Red Lion averaged 28.3 points per game on 46.4 FG%. Considering his serious range, he could have a party from the 4-point area. But he doesn’t have to shoulder everything on offense, especially with import Myke Henry around. Henry played 20 games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2017-18 season and averaged 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. Also take note that NLEX has won all of its last seven meetings with Blackwater, dating back to 2021.

Blackwater Bossing (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

• Kib Montalbo
• Rey Suerte
• Ricky Ledo
• Bradwyn Guinto
• Troy Rosario

Blackwater broke down like PBA’s website in the Bossing’s first game of the conference. Jeffrey Cariaso’s team fell prey to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Tuesday, 110-97. The Bossing’s offense faltered, in part because they fell a little bit more in love with the four-point shot. Blackwater shot just 39.2 percent from the floor and went 0/8 on their four-point attempts. 

Moreover, import Ricky Ledo didn’t produce like, well, an import. He just had 12 points in his PBA debut, while shooting a horrendous 4/23 from the floor. Ledo can’t afford to have another atrocious shooting night if he wants to hold on to his job. Hopefully, positive regression will become his friend this Thursday. A bright spot for Blackwater is rookie Sedrick Barefield, who scored 18 points while coming off the bench. It shouldn’t be long before this year’s No. 2 pick gets a regular starting role for Blackwater.

Picks

Spread: NLEX (+5.0)

Over/Under: Over (210.5)