Meralco unleashed a strong third-quarter surge as it hammered Rain or Shine, 105-87 to kick off its title campaign on a high note in the opening day of the 2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Bolts, runners-up in four of the last five editions of the season-ending conference, leaned on a huge 20-20 effort from old, reliable import KJ McDaniels. The American reinforcement finished with 27 points and a new PBA career-best 23 rebounds to lead his team to a huge debut win in the conference.