Friday’s PBA doubleheader at Ynares Arena in Pasig City will kick off with a duel between the Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters and the Converge FiberXers, each looking to go back to their winning ways.
Catch this game live on Friday, July 7 at 5:00 pm, Manila time.
Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (3-4)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Tyler Tio
- SG: Reden Celda
- SF: Chris Lalata
- PF: Javee Mocon
- C: Larry Muyang
The Fuel Masters came awfully close to having a two-game win streak going into Friday’s date with Converge. After beating the Terrafirma Dyip on June 23, Phoenix fell prey to the Blackwater Bossing two days later, 92-90. Following nearly two weeks of rest, the Fuel Masters must have completely moved on from that loss and drilled into their heads what needs to be done in order to get back to their winning ways.
The Fuel Masters are in the middle of the pack during the PBA on Tour in scoring with 98.29 points per game. Simon Camacho is having a great Tour thus far, as he is leading the Fuel Masters with 15.0 points per game to go with 8.0 rebounds per contest. he only had seven points in 30 minutes against Blackwater, but Camacho swatted away four shots. He can play both ways at a high level and that’s something Phoenix is expecting him to continue. Reden Celda, who dropped 15 points and dished out six assists in the loss to Blackwater, has also been showing out for Phoenix
Converge FiberXers (3-4)
Projected Starting Five:
- G: Alec Stockton
- G/F: Michael Nieto
- G/F: Kevin Racal
- F/C: Justine Arana
- F/C: Jeo Ambohot
Converge is also comnig off a loss, suffering a 127-110 defeat at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Friday. The high-scoring nature of that contest reflected the penchant of both teams for fast-paced action. The Elasto Painters just happen to be leading the PBA in field-goal attempts. The FiberXers are not too shabby on that end either as they are fourth with 85.57 field-goal attempts per contest.
If the FiberXers want to sustain that kind of tempo against Phoenix, they will have to win the rebounding battle. That might not be a problem at all for the FiberXers because they have Justine Arana who cleans the board at a high rate. Arana just had a monster double-double of 25 points and 18 rebounds in the loss to Rain or Shine. He is going to be a big headache for Phoenix.
PREDICTION:
Spread: Converge covers (-5.0) the spread.
Over/Under: The total (200.0) hits the Over.
