The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are looking to net a 2-0 start in the 2024 Philippine Cup and they have an opportunity to do that this Sunday against the winless Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters. Will Ginebra stay undefeated in the conference? Or, will Phoenix pull off a surprise victory?

Catch this game live on Sunday,  March 10 at 6:15 pm, Manila time.

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

• Sean Manganti
• Jason Perkins
• Raul Soyud
• Tyler Tio
• Ken Tuffin

The Fuel Masters did not have enough gas to overcome the NorthPort Batang Pier last Friday. Phoenix shot well from the field, but its leaky defense proved to be its downfall in a 124-120 loss to the Batang Pier. The Fuel Masters made 52 percent of their attempts from the floor in the NorthPort game and dominated inside the arc where they shot 66 percent (34/51). They’re likely not to have that kind of success in the 2-point region against Ginebra, which parades an intimidating frontcourt, so they will have to rely a little bit more this Sunday on their outside shooting. 

Phoenix was just 9/31 from deep against the Batang Pier, though, in that game. Still, it does look like the Fuel Masters have a deep stack of quality scorers, including the pair of veteran RJ Jazul and rookie Ricci Rivero, which combined for 28 bench points in the loss to NorthPort. Also don’t forget that the Fuel Masters defeated Ginebra the last time these teams met back in December, with Phoenix eking out an 82-77 win.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

• John Pinto
• Maverick Ahanmisi
• Louis Cu
• Jamie Malonzo
• Christian Standhardinger

No Scottie Thompson, no problem for the Barangay in their debut game in the 2024 Philippine Cup last Friday, as they crushed the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 113-107. Thompson was sidelined in that contest with a back injury, with no clarity as to when he will be back in action. He is unlikely to play this Sunday, so John Pinto and Maverick Ahanmisi can be expected to be Ginebra’s starting backcourt for the second game in a row. 

But all eyes could be on Malonzo again, as the forward erupted for 32 points on 12/24 shooting from the field against Rain or Shine. His performance removed all the doubts about his form coming into the conference and he could potentially have another huge outing this weekend against the seemingly problematic Phoenix defense. Meanwhile, the duo of Standhardinger and Aguilar is poised to have another stellar showing opposite Phoenix that allowed 52 points in the paint to NorthPort. Standhardinger and Aguilar had 18 and 17 points, respectively, against Rain or Shine.

PREDICTION:

Spread: Ginebra (-7.5) covers the spread.

Over/Under: The total (202.5) hits the Over.