It's a battle between the weary and the well-rested as Meralco takes on NLEX in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, Jan 10.

The Bolts are playing their third game this week after splitting their first two assignments while the Road Warriors are coming into 7:30 p.m. tiff fresh from 20-day holiday break.

Setting up the table for the clash is a matchup between Magnolia and Terrafirma – two teams struggling to establish their footing in the 5 p.m. affair.

Meralco and NLEX, however, are entering the contest with contrasting concerns, with the former wary of their tired legs and the latter unsure with their sharpness after the long respite.

Although welcoming some of their key players back, the grueling schedule to start the year is certainly playing a factor to the Bolts who had a slow start against TNT – something that head coach Luigi Trillo believed is to be blamed after the narrow 101-99 loss.

Meralco was then playing on a back-to-back schedule after a grindout 88-83 win against Eastern just a day prior.

“Partially to blame, our first half was lousy. What we did in the first half wasn’t good, we did play well,” said Trillo as Meralco slid to a 4-3 slate.

Such a start is something Meralco cannot afford against NLEX which surely will also try to shake off the rust early in the game.

The Road Warriors have not played since Dec.21 when they dropped a 99-91 decision against the Magnolia Hotshots.

On the flip side, the long rest may have also benefited NLEX which needed to recuperate and reset as it is currently on a three-game skid for a 3-4 record.

Robert Bolick, along with backcourt partner Kevin Alas, who is still groping for form since his return from an ACL injury, is expected to join hands with Best Import race leader Mike Watkins.

Chris Newsome, Bong Quinto as well as import Akil Mitchell should be tasked to lead the way for Meralco.