Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
There will be a new champion in this year’s Commissioner’s Cup.
Alaska ousted defending champion TNT, 99-81, to seize the last semifinals slot Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rob Dozier notched a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds while Calvin Abueva added 18 points for the Aces, who will face the Meralco Bolts in a best-of-five semis series starting on Monday night.
“Out of all the things I expected, I certainly didn’t expect that,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton, referring to how the game transpired. “I wasn’t expecting the game to go this way. We talked about our defense having to be near perfect. I’m grateful they put that kind of effort defensively.”
Alaska took control after a tight opening period where both teams were tied at 21. The Aces outscored the Tropa, 32-16, in the second quarter and never relented with Dozier protecting the paint and Abueva keeping TNT on its heels.
David Simon posted 20 points and 13 rebounds while Larry Fonacier scored 19 points for the Tropa, who were held to just 38% shooting from the field.
TNT, which took Game 1 of the series, failed to crack the semis for the third straight conference.
With TNT making a push, Alaska stretched its lead to 20, 77-57, on a 3-pointer from Tony dela Cruz to end the third quarter.
The Aces drew solid contributions from their old guys with dela Cruz, Dondon Hontiveros and Erik Menk combining for 26 points.