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Two teams already out of playoff contention will try to put an end to their respective losing skids this Wednesday, as the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the NorthPort Batang Pier share the floor at PhilSports Arena.

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  June 4. 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

Phoenix Fuel Masters (2-7)

Projected Starting Five:

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

Phoenix is down to its final two games in the conference after losing to the NLEX Road Warriors last Sunday, 105-95. With that loss, the Fuel Masters have been eliminated from playoff contention, and the only thing they can play for is a respectable finish to the Philippine Cup. 

Despite Phoenix’s latest defeat, Jason Perkins made sure to go down swinging, as he erupted for 28 points on a 12-for-20 shooting from the field. Ken Tuffin, meanwhile, provided 17 points, as Kai Ballungay churned out 11 points with 10 rebounds. With nothing significant on the line the rest of the way, the Fuel Masters can play with much less pressure on their shoulders, which could be a good thing for them when they face off against NorthPort. Phoenix is on a four-game losing skid, during which it averaged  99.5 points.

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NorthPort Batang Pier (1-7)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jio Jalalon
  • Allyn Bulanadi
  • Joshua Munzon 
  • Sidney Onwubere
  • Damie Cuntapay

It’s hard not to feel for NorthPort fans. Not only are the Batang Pier on a brutal seven-game losing skid, but they have also just sent away via a trade a potential franchise face in Will Navarro to the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots. Then again, what’s new? In return, NorthPort got Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza and a future pick who could turn out to be a star the Batang Pier will send elsewhere one day. 

As for their immediate future, the Batang Pier are simply looking to end their slide. They still have Joshua Munzon, who is still a dangerous offensive weapon regardless of who’s around him. In their latest game, a 94-70 loss to the TNT Tropang 5G last Friday, Munzon led his team with 20 points. Meanwhile, Balanza can continue enjoying more minutes than he’s used to before the trade. He had nine points in 24 minutes off the bench in the TNT game.

Picks

Spread: NorthPort (+3.5)

Over/Under: Over (199.5)

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