Phoenix stuns Meralco for 1st win in PBA PH Cup

Ricci Rivero was perfect from deep. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

BINAN--Phoenix brought the upset ax inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila and struck it on reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco with a 109-97 stunner on Sunday night.

The Fuel Masters caught the Bolts napping in the first quarter and raced to a 31-13 lead and appeared to be holding on.

Meralco tried to turn things around in the fourth quarter and cut Phoenix's lead to as low as 11, but the latter's lead, which went to as high as 26, was just too much to overcome.

Tyler Tio led the Fuel Masters, who forced a triple tie with the Terrafirma Dyip and Converge FiberXers for sixth place at 1-2, with 22 points, two rebounds, and six assists.

Ricci Rivero added 20 points, going 4-for-4 from three-point range, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

Chris Newsome put up 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, while Toto Jose added 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Bolts, who fell to 2-2.

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