The Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Meralco Bolts have a crucial game ahead, with each team looking to lock up a spot for the playoffs. Will Phoenix win its first game after a long break? Or, will the Bolts continue surging?

Catch this game live on Friday,  October 16, 2026 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (4-3)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Tyler Tio
  • Kenneth Tuffin
  • Jason Perkins
  • Kai Ballungay
  • Marcellus Earlington

Phoenix is trying to hang on for a top-four spot in Group B standings to make the quarterfinals. Before the long break, the Fuel Masters lost two games in a row, leaving them marinating in those defeats for several weeks. But the chance to turn things around is finally coming for them, as Phoenix takes on the Bolts this Friday. 

Prior to the pause in conference play, the Fuel Masters lost to the Blackwater Bossing (106-100) and to the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (115-101). The Fuel Masters have already defeated Meralco this season. Back in July, they took down the Bolts to the tune of a 98-97 score. However, Phoenix still had B.J. Johnson as its import at the time. Johnson is no longer with the Fuel Masters, with Marcellus Earlington now the team’s reinforcement.

Meralco Bolts (3-5)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jason Brickman
  • Chris Newsome
  • Bong Quinto
  • Cliff Hodge
  • Jordon Varnado

Like the Fuel Masters, Meralco is still fighting for a guaranteed spot in the upcoming quarterfinals. The Bolts have already played one game since the break, defeating Blackwater 120-115 on Tuesday. Import Jordon Varnado led the way for Meralco, scoring 31 points on 13/28 shooting with seven rebounds and seven assists. Chris Newsome added 24 points, while Bong Quinto and Cliff Hodge combined for 27 points, and the Bolts are now on a two-game winning streak. 

Meralco didn’t have an import in the first meeting with the Fuel Masters, with Varnado, but somehow still lost by the slimmest of margins. CJ Cansino had 18 points in that contest, while veteran Allein Maliksi flashed some of his vintage form to come up with 16 points. Meanwhile, Brandon Bates provided the toughness inside for Meralco, collecting a double-double of 14 points and 15 boards in a losing effort.

Picks

Spread: Meralco Bolts (-3.0)

Over/Under: Over (202.5)