The NLEX Road Warriors can go back to .500 with a win against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, but that, of course, is going to be easier said than done, even with the Fuel Masters’ struggles. Check out this preview of this Thursday showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Catch this game live on Thursday,  June 30 at 7:15 pm, Manila time.

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2-4)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Tyler Tio
  • SG: Jason Perkins
  • SF: Sean Anthony
  • PF: Jake Pascual
  • C: Chris Lalata

Phoenix is looking to put a stop to its two-game skid after losing to the Magnolia Hotshots (99-75) and to the TNT Tropang Giga (87-72). Getting blown out in back-to-back fashion should be more than enough for the Fuel Masters to wake up. Their play on both ends of the floor has been lackluster of late, as the scores of their previous two outings suggest. Phoenix is also missing the usual form of star shooting guard Matthew Wright, who scored jsut 9 points on 4/10 shooting versus Magnolia and only 3 points on 1/11 shooting against TNT.

Jason Perkins also missed the TNT game last Sunday, and his status for Thursday’s contest is up in the air, as of this writing. Despite their losses, the Fuel Masters are still fifth in the league this conference with a 101.9 offensive rating and no. 1 overall with a 52.1 TS%. This team can get hot offensively, with newcomers Tyler Tio and Javee Mocon starting to settle in comfortably in their roles on the Fuel Masters.

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The NLEX Road Warriors (3-2)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Kevin Alas
  • SG: Don Trollano
  • SF: Kevin Alas
  • PF: JR Quinahan
  • C: Justin Chua

Consistency is the target of the Road Warriors when they face off with Phoenix Thursday. NLEX has oscillated between wins and losses this conference, as it has yet to win consecutively. The Road Warriors, however, have won four of their last six meetings with the Phoenix franchise. In their last game, the Road Warriors defeated the Meralco Bolts to the tune of a 90-75 score. 

While it’s always the guards and wings of NLEX who attract the most attention, the frontcourt tandem of JR Quinahan and Justin Chua balled out in the Meralco game. Baby Shaq had 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Chia put up a double-double of 15 points and 11 boards. Don’t be surprised to see them dominate the glass anew against the Fuel Masters, who are second-worst this conference with a 43.3 TRB%. Conversely, NLEX is fourth with a 46.3 TRB%. The Road Warriors are also fourth with 90.4 points per game.

PREDICTION:

Spread: NLEX covers (-2.5).

Over/Under: The Under (190.5) hits.

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