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The NLEX Road Warriors will look to get back to their winning ways following a rare loss. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Fuel Masters aim to give their fading chances to make the playoffs a big shot in the arm.

Catch this game live on Sunday,  June 1. 2025 at 5:00 pm, Manila time.

NLEX Road Warriors (6-2)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Robert Bolick 
  • Xyrus Torres 
  • Dave Marcelo
  • Javee Mocon
  • JB Bahio 

The Road Warriors’ scorching win streak was doused with cold water by the Meralco Bolts last Sunday, as NLEX absorbed a 109-92 loss at the hands of its sister team. Before that, the Road Warriors were on a six-game undefeated run, a stretch that included wins against the likes of the Rain or  Shine Elasto Painters, TNT Tropang 5G and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Robert Bolick should be a big thorn in the side of the Fuel Masters this Sunday, as he’s been to other teams this season. Bolick, however, is coming off a brutal 5-for-18 shooting against the Bolts, finishing with 22 points while going minus-23 overall. Still, he’ll get his looks and touches against Phoenix, whose defense has been so leaky of late, having allowed an average of 113 points in its last three outings.

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Phoenix Fuel Masters (2-6)

Projected Starting Five:

  • RJ Jazul
  • Tyler Tio
  • Kenneth Tuffin
  • Jason Perkins
  • Kai Ballungay 

Phoenix’s playoff hopes keep on getting dimmer. In the Fuel Masters’ last game, they got pummeled by the Elasto Painters to the tune of a 109-99 score. As mentioned, Phoenix’s defense has been lackluster, especially of late. That was the case in the loss to Rain or Shine, but perhaps what hurt the Fuel Masters in that game was simply their ineffectiveness on offense. 

Although they had Rain or Shine committing 19 turnovers and outshot the Elasto Painters from the field by a huge margin, 95-79, the Fuel Masters failed to capitalize. Phoenix shot just 38-for-95 for a 40 percent conversion rate. Jason Perkins shot 4-for-14 while promising youngster Kai Ballugay only went 4-for-11. Perhaps some help from the gods of positive regression will provide Phoenix a nice boost this Sunday, while catching the fresh-off-a-loss Road Warriors at probably just the right time.

Picks

Spread: NLEX Road Warriors (-5.5)
Over/Under: Under (193)

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