The Hotdogs made a big turnaround from a scrambling performance the last time out, outdoing themselves as they sent the Aces to their earliest exit in a season in a long, long while.
Mobiline arranged a best-of-five semifinal duel with Purefoods as it knocked out Bgy. Ginebra, 100-86, in the second game
"I think it’s going to be a long series. But we’ll try to make a statement in the first game," said Mobiline coach Louie Alas.
The Hotdogs stunned the Aces at the Ynares Center as they totally outplayed the All-Filipino titlists on the way to a return stint in the semis.
"This is one of those nights where we really played well. We came out with a lot of intensify and hounded them all night, keeping them from doing what they wanted to do," said Purefoods coach Derrick Pumaren.
"We pressured pretty well and I think we made them play bad," he added.
Purefoods did push Alaska out of its comfort zone as the Hotdogs gave the Aces a nasty loss in missing the finals for the first time since the 1997 All-Filipino.
The Aces committed 30 turnovers in their worst defeat since a 61-83 blowout to the Hotdogs themselves on Oct. 29 last year. Their 30 errors were also the team’s worst since committing 34 in a 73-83 defeat to San Miguel three years ago.
Twenty-four of the 30 came from the Alaska starters alone with Kenneth Duremdes and Bong Hawkins getting four and six in the loss that could affect their chances for the season’s MVP honors.
Ironically, the Aces played bad when they were expected to play better while welcoming the return of Fil-foreign player James Wallkvist. The 6-foot-10 behemoth was allowed to rejoin Alaska after getting the Department of Justice recognition of his citizenship a few days ago.
EJ Feihl outclassed Wallkvist and practically all the other Hotdogs did the same on their respective counterpart as Purefoods conquered Alaska for the first time in their last seven playoff matchups.
"Sobra-sobra na ang talo namin sa Alaska. Maybe, it’s about time we beat them," said Pumaren.