The NLEX Road Warriors and the San Miguel Beermen will share the court again this Wednesday, with both teams looking to strengthen their chances of making the playoffs. Will the Road Warriors snatch another win at the expense of San Miguel? Or, will the Beermen get their fourth win this conference?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  September 11 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

NLEX Road Warriors (3-3)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Robert Bolick
  • Robert Herndon
  • Enoch Valdez
  • Myke Henry
  • Dave Marcelo

After winning three of their first four games in the conference, the Road Warriors have seemingly cooled off. They lost their last two games against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on September 3 (110) and at the hands of the Blackwater Bossing on September 6 (110-99). NLEX lost to Blackwater despite Robert Bolick nearly putting together a triple-double performance. 

Bolick had 21 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds against the Bossing but he also shot just 6/21 from the field. Perhaps it will be better for Bolick, at least in terms of efficiency, this Wednesday in the rematch against San Miguel. When the Road Warriors defeated San Miguel on August 31, Bolick scored 20 points on 8/17 shooting, while import Myke Henry had 33 points on 14/27 shooting. Bolick and Henry will continue to carry most of the weight on offense for NLEX, which was +9 in the rebounding area in the first meeting with the Beermen.

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San Miguel Beermen (3-2)

Projected Starting Five:

  • CJ Perez
  • Jaymar Perez
  • Sheldon Mac (potential replacement)
  • Marcio Lassiter
  • June Mar Fajardo

Junemar Fajardo saved the Beermen from suffering a third consecutive loss when he drained a game-winning jumper at the buzzer in a 113-112 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on September 5. The eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player poured in 27 points and grabbed 21 rebounds against Rain or Shine, and he could put up another import-like stat line this Wednesday against NLEX. 

It can be recalled that Fajardo had 19 points and 17 boards in the previous matchup versus the Road Warriors. One important item to take note of ahead of this NLEX-SMB clash is the Beermen’s import change. Jordan Adams, who had 36 points in the loss to the Road Warriors, has been let go, with Sheldon Mac reportedly being eyed as a replacement. Mac averaged 3.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 30 games played with the Washington Wizards during the 2016-17 NBA season.

Picks

Spread: San Miguel Beermen (-6.5)

Over/Under: Under (208.5)

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