The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters and the San Miguel Beermen will make their debuts in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup against each other this Wednesday. Which between them will kick off their campaign with a victory?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  June 8 at 3 pm, Manila time.

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: RJ Jazul
  • SG: Matthew Wright
  • SF: Sean Anthony
  • PF: Jason Perkins
  • C: Larry Muyang

Phoenix will be put to the acid test right away, as the Fuel Masters get traditional title contenders San Miguel for their opening game in the conference. A few key changes on the Fuel Masters’ roster are expected to pay dividends for the team that finished the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup below .500 with a 5-6 record overall. A notable move recently by the Fuel Masters is the acquisition of guard-forward Javee Mocon from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters via a trade. Mocon averaged 11.1 points for the Elasto Painters in the last conference and even led all ROS locals with 6.8 rebounds per game. It’s possible, however, that Mocon will not be given significant minutes this Wednesday, as he continues to adapt to the system of his new team. Nevertheless, Phoenix has old reliables like RJ Jazul and Matthew Wright, whose future with the Fuel Masters is a big question mark but his commitment until his current deal expires is at 100%. A healthier Sean Anthony (2019 Defensive Player of the Year) and newcomers Tyler Tio, Chris Lalata, and Encho Serrano will provide toughness and depth for Phoenix.

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The San Miguel Beermen (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Chris Ross
  • SG: Jericho Cruz
  • SF: Robbie Herndon
  • PF: Vic Manuel
  • C: Junemar Fajardo

By San Miguel standards, the Beermen are coming off a disappointing Governors’ Cup campaign where they did not even make it to the semifinals portion of the conference. That being said, the Beermen are always going to be a huge threat to any team in this conference. For one, Junemar Fajardo is healthy. Fajardo should be able to get his usual big numbers against a Phoenix team that doesn’t have the size to match up against the six-time PBA MVP. 

San Miguel’s frontcourt is loaded with a beefy supporting cast behind Fajardo, too. Mo Tautuaa, Vic Manuel, Rodney Brondial, and Jeepy Faundo complete the rotation down low for the Beermen. Terrence Romeo is not available for San Miguel’s conference debut, but the addition of Jericho Cruz and the presence of Marcio Lassiter and Von Pessumal should be enough to ensure ample production by the team from the perimeter. There’s also more firepower from the point guard position, with Simon Enciso backing up Chris Ross. The Beermen have won six of their last seven meetings with Phoenix.

PREDICTION:

Spread: San Miguel covers (-5.0).

Over/Under: Taking the Under (186.0).