The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters will shoot for win No. 2 in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup as they take on the Meralco Bolts, who will look to rebound from a recent loss.

Catch this game live on July 28 at 6 pm, Manila time.

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (1-2)

Projected Starting Five:

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

Matthew Wright was not needed at all by the Fuel Masters when they scored their first win of the conference by trouncing the Alaska Aces last Saturday,101-93. Wright, however, is expected to suit up this Wednesday against the Meralco Bolts. 

Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson deemed the forward’s ankle injury minor, saying that the team was merely trying to get him 100% healthy for Wednesday’s clash against the Bolts when the decision was made to sit him out. Assuming that he will play against Meralco, the Fuel Masters should be able to flourish on offense while being led by the 1-2 combo of Vic Manuel and Wright. 

Manuel scored 26 points against the Aces, while RJ Jazul mitigated the impact of Wright’s absence by putting up 19 points. Watch out for Phoenix to establish its outside shooting early this Wednesday after going 15 of 33 from deep in the Alaska game.

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The Meralco Bolts (2-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: John Pinto
  • SG: Chris Newsome
  • SF: Mac Belo
  • PF: John Quinto
  • C: Raymond Almazan

Meralco tasted its first defeat of the conference after losing to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters over the weekend, 85-72. The Bolts struggled to get their buckets against Rain or Shine, connecting on just 38% of their shots. 

The good news for Meralco is that it will not be dealing with Rain or Shine’s suffocating defense again this Wednesday. Instead, the Bolts will look to take advantage of Phoenix’s defense that has shown the sturdiness of a wet paper bag of late. The Fuel Masters have allowed an average of 108.0 points in their last two games. 

That’s music to the ears of the likes of Chris Newsome and Mac Belo. Newsome led the Bolts with 13 points against Rain or Shine, while Belo was held to only four points on two shots. Raymond Almazan, meanwhile, had a nice performance to set him up for a matchup against his former team, as he scored 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting. 

PREDICTION:

Meralco takes advantage of Phoenix’s lousy defense and scores a close win in a high-scoring contest.