The NLEX Road Warriors will put their win streak on the line this weekend against the Meralco Bolts, who are trying to strengthen their chances to make the playoff cut. Will NLEX add the Bolts to its growing list of victims? Or, will Meralco shock the Road Warriors?

Catch this game live on Sunday,  May 25, 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

NLEX Road Warriors (6-1)

Projected Starting Five:

• Robert Bolick 
• Xyrus Torres 
• Javee Mocon
• Anthony Semerad
• JB Bahio

The Road Warriors continue to have a smooth ride after thwarting the Converge FiberXers on Friday, 88-83. After losing its conference opener to the San Miguel Beermen, NLEX has since looked unstoppable, stitching together six wins in a row. Robert Bolick led the way for NLEX against the FiberXers, as the former San Beda Red Lions star put up 19 points on 8-for-19 shooting from the floor with 10 assists.

As the best player on the team, Bolick is always expected to deliver the goods for NLEX, and so far in the conference, he’s been doing just that. He is also leading the league in assists with 8.0 per contest and minutes with 39.5 per outing. Meanwhile, NLEX’s frontcourt could be the X-factor for the Road Warriors against Meralco after the pair of JB Bahio and Tony Semerad teamed up to help their team take down Converge. Bahio had nine points and nine boards while Semerad had 10 points with two 3-pointers versus the FiberXers.

Meralco Bolts (4-5)

Projected Starting Five:

• Chris Newsome
• Aaron Black
• Bong Quinto
• Cliff Hodge
• Norbert Torres

The Bolts stopped their bleeding last Wednesday, snapping a two-game losing skid in a 103-85 win over the hapless Blackwater Bossing. Meralco, which has gone 2-2 straight up in its last four outings, fed off a balanced attack by its starters in the Blackwater game. Chris Newsome led the charge with 19 points while Chris Banchero added 13 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists.  

Meanwhile, Raymar Jose and Brandon Bates combined for 22 points and 12 rebounds. It is probably going to take Meralco an all-hands-on-deck approach as well versus NLEX, which has clearly found its groove in the conference. Speaking of which, the Bolts will have star forward Cliff Hodge back in action, as he missed the meeting with Blackwater to serve a one-game suspension because of his WWE-like foul on Zav Lucero of the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in a previous contest.

Picks

Spread: Meralco Bolts (+4.5)

Over/Under: Over (185.0)