The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters rode a hot start to overcome the Meralco Bolts, 109-97, and nail their first win of the PBA Philippine Cup Season 49 on Sunday evening, April 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Fuel Masters roared to a 31-13 advantage after the opening quarter and never looked back, even leading by as many as 26 points against the defending all-Filipino champions.

Tyler Tio shone for Phoenix with 22 points and six assists, while Ricci Rivero contributed 20 points built on perfect 4-of-4 shooting from long distance.

Jason Perkins (19 points) and Kai Ballungay (11) also reached double-digits.

It’s a breakthrough for Phoenix, which entered the game having lost back-to-back matches to the Terrafirma Dyip and the Converge FiberXers.

The Fuel Masters limited the Bolts to just 34.4 percent shooting from the field.

Meralco did not help its cause by making only 20-of-31 free throws. Meanwhile, Phoenix went 40-of-51 at the charity stripe.

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 18 points in the loss. The Bolts are now 2-2 in the conference.

In another game, Converge grabbed its second win by overwhelming the Blackwater Bossing, 111-80.

After falling behind 21-24 at the end of the opening period, the FiberXers outscored the Bossing, 60-29, in the middle quarters to seize control of the contest.

Justin Arana (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Justine Baltazar (16 points, 10 rebounds) both had double-doubles for the now 2-2 Converge, while Schonny Winston provided 16 points and five dimes.

Blackwater, for its part, dropped to 0-2.

RK Ilagan had 19 points, but Sedrick Barefield was limited to just five points on 1-of-10 shooting in the defeat. (ABS-CBN News)