PBA Philippine Cup: NLEX Road Warriors vs. Meralco Bolts

[Mary C]

PBA Philippine Cup: NLEX Road Warriors vs. Meralco Bolts

by: Wilson C

 

PG: Philip Paniamogan

SG: Jericho Cruz

SF: Calvin Oftana

PF: Raul Soyud

😄 Kristoffer Porter

 

NLEX ended a three-game losing skid by defeating the Blackwater Bossing last week, 90-73. The Road Warriors surely did not waste the opportunity to score an easy victory and regain their morale by thwarting a historically inept squad in Blackwater, with Philip Paniamogan pacing NLEX with a season-high 14 points. 

 

Meanwhile, four players off the bench chipped in at least 10 points each for the Road Warriors, who are one of the highest scoring teams in this conference. In fact, NLEX is second overall with 92.0 points per game. Even though Kiefer Ravena is no longer with the team, a contingent of talented guards and wing players help the Road Warriors on offense. 

 

Jericho Cruz, Kevin Alas, and Don Trollano are capable of making a spark when they are on the floor. The last time these two teams met back in October 2020, the Bolts prevailed, 101-92, with Cruz and Alas combining for 10 points on a 6-of-26 shooting from the field. NLEX is expecting a much better output from both, this time around.

 

The Meralco Bolts Lineup :

PG: John Pinto

SG: Allein Maliksi

SF: John Quinto

PF: Mac Belo

😄 Raymond Almazan

 

Like everybody else in the PBA, the Bolts defeated Blackwater in their most recent outing. Meralco had a field day on offense in that game, shooting 49% from the floor and outscoring Blackwater in second-chance points, 20-12. 

 

The Bolts, who are riding a two-game win streak going into their matchup with NLEX, defeated Blackwater despite the absence of the pair of Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge because of health and safety protocols. Their statuses are still up in the air, but if they cannot go, Meralco still has dependable options to fill their void. 

 

Take for example, John Quinto started against Blackwater and put up 10 points while dropping six dimes. Allein Maliksi and Mac Belo could stretch the floor enough to create lots of space for Raymond Almazan inside. Almazan had 15 points and 17 rebounds versus the Bossing, with both Maliksi and Belo in the starting unit.

 

NLEX Warriors standing (5-5)

Meralco Bolts standing (7-2)

The NLEX needs a win here more than Meralco. This will be a tight match. But Meralco Bolts will have the upper hand in their favor.

 

Choose your favorite PBA team now!