VERSATILE forward Jason Perkins returned from sickbay and powered the Phoenix Fuel Masters to a 109-97 upset win over the defending champions Meralco Bolts in the 49th PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night, April 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Sidelined in Phoenix’s first two games due to flu, Perkins made up for lost time as he piled up 19 points and five rebounds as the Fuel Masters finally barged into the win column after absorbing back-to-back losses to start the tournament.

Aside from Perkins, Phoenix also got a huge lift from Tyler Tio and Ricci Rivero.

Tio coughed up 22 points and six assists and Rivero fired a career-high 20 markers as the Fuel Masters went into the Holy Week break on a winning note.

Kai Ballungay was the fourth Fuel Master in double figures with 11 markers.

Suffering their second loss in three games, the Bolts got 18 points from Chris Newsome and 17 markers from Bong Quinto.

THE SCORES

PHOENIX (109) - Tio 22, Rivero 20, Perkins 19, Ballungay 11, Tuffin 9, Salado 5, Jazul 5, Alejandro 3, Soyud 3, Garcia 2, Verano 2, Ular 2, Daves 2, Camacho 2, Manganti 2.

MERALCO (97) - Newsome 18, Quinto 17, Jose 12, Black 12, Cansino11, Almazan 10, Reyson 6, Rios 5, Caram 2, Torres 2, Hodge 2, Pasaol 0, Bates 0.QUARTERSCORES: 31-13, 58-37, 91-68, 109-97.(CCM)

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