The San Miguel Beermen have gone 5-0 in their last five meetings with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters franchise, but will it be a different story this time around?
Catch this game live on September 17 at 3 pm, Manila time.
The San Miguel Beermen (5-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Ross
- SG: Terrence Romeo
- SF: Marcio Lassiter
- PF: Arwind Santos
- C: Junemar Fajardo
Paint was thicker than beer. That was the story for the Beermen in their 95-93 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Sunday. The loss snapped San Miguel’s two-game win streak, so the team will have to go back to square one when it faces the Fuel Masters Friday afternoon. Terrence Rome still sizzled with 20 points in the ROS game, as he shot 6-of-17 from the field and 3-of-10 from deep. Meanwhile, Arwind Santos had 18 points and 12 rebounds. What’s missing was ample production from Junemar Fajardo, who chipped in just eight points on only seven attempts.
No one’s going to stop Romeo from taking a shot whenever he wants to. He is leading the team with 22.2 PPG on a respectable 47.78 FG%. But San Miguel is a more efficient team on offense when Fajardo is more involved. In any case, the Beermen should have plenty of looks on offense against Phoenix’s leaky defense. Phoenix is one of the five teams in the PBA that’s allowing at least 90 points per game. The Fuel Masters are giving up 90.4 PPG.
The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (4-6)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: RJ Jazul
- SG: Nick Demusis
- SF: Matthew Wright
- PF: Vic Manuel
- C: Justin Chua
Like the Beermen, the Fuel Masters also failed to extend their win streak to three games after getting tripped up by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday, 94-87. It was an especially frustrating defeat for Phoenix, as it once held a lead as high as 19 points before squandering it all. Nevertheless, Jason Perkins’ performance in that game sends a strong warning to San Miguel’s defense. The sweet-shooting stretch-four dropped 30 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the floor against Ginebra.
Meanwhile, Matthew Wright and Justin Chua chipped in 18 and 12 points, respectively. Chua went 0-of-1 from behind the arc, but his ability to shoot 3-pointers should get respect from Fajardo, and that could open things up for Phoenix’s slashers. Phoenix is also third in the league so far this conference with 9.3 3-pointers per game. That’s bad news for San Miguel which is allowing the second-most threes per game (10.13).
PREDICTION:
Spread: Fajardo is always a problem, but Phoenix’s outside shooting can offset the production of the six-time MVP, whose usage is already getting capped by Romeo’s presence. Take the Fuel Masters to cover. (+6.5)
Over/Under: Both teams are known for their offense than defense, and it’s always a high-scoring affair whenever these two meet. Take the Over (189).
