BIG man Raul Soyud remains doubtful for NLEX, but Alex Mallari is expected to suit up when the Road Warriors gun for a third straight win in a bid to regain the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The team takes on Phoenix Fuel Masters Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with Mallari ready to suit up despite being bothered by a hurting nerve in his foot.
The big Fil-Am guard still managed to see action for the Road Warriors on Christmas Day in a 115-104 beating of GlobalPort Batang Pier at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan for their second straight win.
The 6-foot-6 Soyud, though, will miss his second straight game after injuring his shoulder in NLEX’s debut game against KIA.
“Si Soyud lang, pero si (Alex) Mallari OK na,” said NLEX lead deputy Adonis Tierra on Saturday.
Soyud, picked 31st by Blackwater (third round) in the 2014 draft, has already been relegated by the team in the injury/reserved list in lieu of veteran guard Ronjay Buenafe.
The Road Warriors are currently tied with defending champion San Miguel on top of the standings with similar 2-0 records, but a victory by NLEX in the 4:30 p.m. game will allow it to regain the solo lead as the league resumes after the holiday break.
The Fuel Masters currently have an even 1-1 record and are coming off a huge 125-102 rout of winless KIA last Dec. 27.
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