What do you know? The Terrafirma Dyip are now one of the hottest teams in the PBA. Can the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters deny the Dyip of loading up another win? Or, will Terrafirma extend its win streak to four games? 

Catch this game live on September 9 at 2 pm, Manila time.

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2-5)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: RJ Jazul
  • SG: Nick Demusis
  • SF:  Matthew Wright
  • PF: Vic Manuel
  • C: Justin Chua

The Fuel Masters are having a hard time finding consistency in this conference. After going 1-4 in their first five games, they have split their two games so far during the restart. They scored a thrilling 78-77 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sep. 2 before falling prey to the NLEX Road Warriors, 94-76, two days later. 

The offense hasn’t just been good for Phoenix lately, but it’s just a matter of getting it together for the Fuel Masters. Even though the loss of Calvin Abueva is huge, they still have the combo of Matthew Wright and Vic Manuel. 

Wright is averaging 15.5 points per game, albeit on a poor 31 FG%, but things could go right for him against the Dyip’s defense, which has been the most porous in the league this conference. In fact, Terrafirma is last overall with a defense that is surrendering 94.29 points per contest. That’s also music to the ears of Manuel, who’s putting up 15.43 PPG on 45.92 FG%.

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The Terrafirma Dyip (3-4)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Reden Celda
  • SG: JP Calvo
  • SF: Philip Andreas Cahilig
  • PF: Aldrech Ramos
  • C: James Laput

Why don’t we just call them the Terrafirma Pumpkin Coach because they are suddenly having a Cinderella run in the conference. Not many people must have seen this kind of stretch coming from the Dyip, who, in the offseason, traded away their best player for depth guys and a pick in the 2021 PBA Draft. After starting the season with a 0-4 record, the Dyip found their groove and has gone undefeated in three games in the PBA restart. 

They shocked the PBA with a 110-104 win over the San Miguel Beermen before taking down the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (95-90) and the Blackwater Bossing (96-84). While Phoenix is struggling mightily on offense, the Dyip are shooting the lights out of late. They are No. 1 in this conference both in scoring (94.3 PPG) and outside shooting (31.4 3FG%). 

It’s their outside shooting that’s been a total headache for their opponents late, and Phoenix must hope that the Dyip will cool down finally. Terrafirma drilled 36 3-pointers in their last three games, including the 17 they buried in the Ginebra game.

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PREDICTION:

Spread: 

Terrafirma is a big regression candidate. Take Phoenix to win and cover the -3.5 spread.

Over/Under: 

Don’t be surprised to see Terrafirma cool off, but both teams should still have success on offense. The over 184.5 should hit this game.