MANILA: Everything was going well for debuting reigning Grand Slam champion Purefoods on Wednesday night — until the Star Hotshots, known last season as the San Mig Coffee Mixers, played relentless Alaska.

The Aces, with their energy bunny Calvin Abueva providing the spark, spank the Hotshots on all fronts, scoring an impressive 93-73 victory in the continuation of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Alaska, which was one of the most impressive teams in the off-season, outplayed the Hotshots in all departments, opening up a commanding 43-29 lead at the half before going on to lead by as large as 25 points to assure Purefoods’ cold return to the league.

“It’s a great start, obviously,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “We played a great team under the best coach in the league. But we also have to admit that we beat them without Marc Pingris, who is their main energy guy.”

Pingris was granted a short leave of absence by Purefoods coach Tim Cone after playing two tough tournaments with Gilas Pilipinas last month, and Alaska exploited this to the hilt with Abueva running unopposed.

“He (Pingris) is the No. 1 energy guy of that team and with him out, our big men took advantage,” Compton said. “I love the energy of our guys.. I even had to slow them down today.”

Alaska’s no-nonsense defense forced the Hotshots to 24 turnovers, which the Aces turned to 17 points. Purefoods only scored two points off Alaska’s turnovers.

The Aces also outrebounded the Hotshots, 48-40 with Pingris not around. Compounding matters for Cone was the loss to a suspected ACL injury to Ian Sangalang, who figured in a nasty landing late in the third quarter and didn’t finish the game.

RJ Jazul and Vic Manuel fired 11 apiece and three players each scored nine for Compton, who didn’t utilize the Triangle Offense that much and instead opted for a run-and-gun type of a game that worked wonders.

James Yap, the former two-time MVP, led the Hotshots with 16 points but was scoreless in the fourth period. Peter June Simon chipped in with 10.

Veterans have so far been delivering for their respective teams after the first three elimination round playdates of the season-opening tournament, with Reynel Hugnatan the latest to bail Meralco out in the first game.

The pony-tailed Hugnatan, possibly the most undersized center in the tournament at just a shade over 6-foot-3, hit two foul shots in the waning seconds to seal a 112-108 double overtime victory over Barako Bull.

Those two free throws capped a career-high night of 28 points for Hugnatan as Meralco started the Norman Black era on a positive note to join Barangay Ginebra, newcomer KIA Motors, San Miguel Beer and another rookie team, NLEX, at the top.

Asi Taulava, the oldest player in the league at 41 years old, was the hero in the NLEX win over Globalport. He shot 11 of his 21 points in the fourth period and was the clear difference in the endgame for the Road Warriors.

Hugnatan was that man for the Bolts on Wednesday night, going 9-of-15 from the field. He also had seven rebounds and a block.

“It’s a good start for us, one that we have been looking for,” said Black, the Grand Slam-winning coach with San Miguel Beer in 1989 who was assigned to guide this inexperienced Bolts team this season after spending two years with Talk ’N Text.

“It was a well-earned victory. We had to work really hard to get this win,” Black continued. “Obviously, Barako Bull was very inspired with their new coach. They came out with a lot of fire.”

Koy Banal called the shots for the Energy, whose original coach, Siot Tanquingcen, was fired just one day before opening day on Sunday.

Reports say that Tanquingcen got the axe reportedly for refusing to sign one rookie free agent which management liked, leading to his dismissal despite being the one who prepared the team during the three-month off-season.

Still, even with less than a week under Banal, the Energy fought Meralco tooth-and-nail and even had a chance to win it in regulation only for the veteran Mick Pennisi to come up with a crucial passing error.

Regulation ended at 90-all, the first overtime finished at 101-all after Chico Lanete scored off an unorthodox layup off Hugnatan.