by Waylon Galvez
NLEX point guard Kevin Alas said that more than the physical aspect of recovering from an injury, it’s coming back mentally tough that he is working on as he attempts to resume his interrupted PBA career.
Alas is now on the fifth month of his rehabilitation after he reinjured his right knee with a second ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.
“Takot na ang pinakamalaking kalaban (Fear is my worst enemy),” said Alas in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel in Manila. “Now the strength of my knee is malakas naman (Now the strength of my knee is strong).”
“Pero pinakamalaking kalaban is emotional battle,” added Alas, who credited his family as well as his fiancée, PBA courtside reporter Selina Dagdag, for helping him through the ordeal.
Alas tore his ACL last March 13, 2018, and he returned that same year after a nine-month rehab only to get injured gain five games into the Philippine Cup in February this year, ominously at the same venue – the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
Alas said he is now working on his mechanics, particularly his landing and jumps. He is looking at a September return to practice. He will then be re-evaluated by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raul Canlas, who performed both surgeries on his injured knee.
“At the start mahirap (tough), the first two months were the toughest,” said Alas, who didn’t watch any of his team’s games in the PH Cup after the second ACL injury.
“But I realized that’s the only way. I’m really look forward to returning, pero ayoko nang madaliin (I don’t’ want to rush things). This time I need to be wiser. My career is at stake.”
Alas expressed excitement about the prospects of NLEX’s campaign in the Governors’ Cup where he looks to form a super- backcourt triumvirate with Kiefer Ravena, who is scheduled to return to practice on June 24, and new recruit Jericho Cruz.
