NLEX comes back from a long breather while Meralco plays a third game in less than a week, and legs could be an issue as they clash in the PBA Commissioner's Cup's return to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Friday.
It's been a long wait for the Road Warriors since a tough 95-99 overtime loss to the Magnolia Hotshots sealing a 3-4 mark for NLEX before the long holidays.
They certainly have fresh legs but the question is their sharpness as they tangle with the Bolts in their 7:30 p.m. setto.
For the Bolts, fatigue could be the issue as they're to set foot on the hardcourt for the third time in five nights after grueling games versus Hong Kong Eastern Sunday then opposite TNT Tuesday.
Akil Mitchell and his teammates split those matches but remain at sixth place with a 4-2 card behind NorthPort (6-1), Rain or Shine (4-1), Converge (6-2), Barangay Ginebra (5-2) and Hong Kong Eastern (6-3).
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The Bolts could have been at third place now had they completed an incredible fightback from 23 points down Tuesday versus the Tropang Giga.
But Cliff Hodge missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer, and the Tropang Giga escaped with a 101-99 decision to improve to 3-2.
The Road Warriors and the Bolts try to pump life on their quarters bids at each other's expense as the PBA returns to Ninoy Aquino Stadium, also bringing the Magnolia-Terrafirma tiff in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser.
Robert Bolick and his teammates are actually coming off a three-game slump after a strong 3-1 conference start.
Before their defeat to the Hotshots, the Road Warriors reeled in losses to the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 100-109, then to the Converge FiberXers, 91-102.
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But they should have healed their wounds and ready to return to battle in their first outing in 2025. (SB)
