By REYNALD MAGALLON
PASSI CITY – Kevin Alas made sure to put on a show in his very first PBA All-Star game – a selection that should have happened way earlier in his career if not for a series of knee injuries.
It had been a long time coming for the NLEX guard and he is just very blessed to be part of the team along with the other league superstars especially that it symbolized the hard work he put in to reach his top form after two ACL injuries in his career.
“Very blessed kasi ‘yun na nga sabi ko nga nung sa ibang interviews ko parang coming of two ACL’s never expected na makakalaro ako at this level and just playing with the superstars,” said Alas.
“It’s a feeling na very grateful kay God kasi James Yap kalaro mo, Jason Castro, Japeth Aguilar, Arwind Santos and everything, mga legend na ‘yan eh. So I’m just really blessed to be part (of the All-Star),” he added.
Alas’ imprint in his very first all-star callup was all over the floor as he helped Team Scottie battle back from 15 points down in the third quarter and put up a fight in the end game. The team however ran out of gas in the end game allowing Team Japeth to come away with a 140-136 win.
He went on to finish with game-high 35 points and could have won the MVP if only Team Scottie completed its comeback. More than the award however Alas was glad to put up a fight and gave the fans a thrilling all-star threat.
“Third quarter medyo humabol kami and then medyo tuloy tuloy ‘yung shots sabi ko, sabi ni Coach Yeng naman na kung sino ‘yung maganda ang laro, suportahan natin to try to win the MVP,” said Alas.
“I’m very happy if nanalo kami and at the same time nanalo MVP, but bottom line is ‘yung kinausap kami ni Commissioner, ni Coach Yeng, na let’s make this game competitive and ‘yun na nga gusto rin namin masulit ng fans ‘yung bumili ng ticket, syempre mga bumoto samin, nagtiwala samin,” he added.
Alas said he was glad to be part of the competitive all-star game – the first of its kind in the usual free-flowing and easy-going game in the past.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, napaka competitive. And sabi ko, sabi ko wow first time ko naka-experience ng l star na, All-Star na normally 1st to 3rd, coasting along lang. Pero ito, 1st to 4th, may pumu-full pressure pa. Then you can see coach Tim Cone and coach Yeng being serious about, meron pang nagdu-drawing ng defensive and offensive plays,” recalled Alas.
