The Phoenix Fuel Masters need to start winning games again, as they try to put themselves in a better position to make the postseason. They can start with this game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who are looking to strengthen their playoff chances.
Catch this game live on Wednesday, May 28. 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.
Phoenix Fuel Masters (2-5)
Projected Starting Five:
- RJ Jazul
- Tyler Tio
- Kenneth Tuffin
- Jason Perkins
- Kai Ballungay
The Fuel Masers will be looking to snap their two-game losing skid when they meet Rain or Shine. Phoenix is coming off a 119-112 loss to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on May 16. Before that, the Fuel Masters suffered a 111-92 defeat at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen on May 11. Defense has been a major issue, especially of late, for Phoenix, as evidenced by the ton of points they allowed the Barangay and the Beermen to put up.
Nevertheless, Phoenix is a team the Elasto Painters can’t take lightly. Jason Perkins can still keep up with the best of them, as the veteran out of the De La Salle Green Archers program erupted for 28 points with five rebounds and five assists in the Ginebra game. Another veteran in RJ Jazul still has some bite, having scored 18 points versus the Barangay. There are also the young guns in Ken Tuffin, Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay, who are capable of taking over for the Fuel Masters, whose two wins came at the expense of quality teams in the form of the TNT Tropang 5G and Meralco Bolts.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Gian Mamuyac
- Adrian Nocum
- Jhonard Clarito
- Caelan Tiongson
- Leonard Santillan
Like Phoenix, the Elasto Painters are looking to get back on track, as they are fresh off a 111-103 loss to the Tropang 5G on May 21. That loss snapped a two-game win streak by Rain or Shine. It is worth noting that through Tuesday, the Elasto Painters remain the only team in this conference to have beaten the league-leading Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots. That win over the Hotshots serves as a strong message to the rest of the league about how capable Yeng Guiao’s unit is.
Rain or Shine can feel optimistic about its chances versus the Fuel Masters. As mentioned. Phoenix has a seemingly leaky defense. Conversely, the Elasto Painters are leading the league with an average of 110.7 points per game. Leonard Santillan, who has two Player of the Week awards already this conference, could get his rhythm back after scoring just seven points in the TNT game. Meanwhile, Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac had 38 points combined in the loss to the Tropang 5G.
PICKS
Spread: Rain or Shine (-3.5)
Over/Under: Over (206.5)
