By Jonas Terrado
Kevin Alas has taken steps to not only get back into form but also to play on a consistent basis after suffering an ACL tear on his right knee twice.
NLEX guard Kevin Alas in action during the recent PBA mini-tournament at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas. (PBA Images)
The NLEX guard missed 49 games over the last two seasons after getting hurt during the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series with Magnolia and in a 2019 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round game against Meralco.
He did come back and play the final four games of NLEX’s 2019 campaign but averaged just 1.3 points while logging a total of 27 minutes as he struggled to get rediscover his confidence and rhythm.
The longer offseason enabled Alas to show some promise in the Road Warriors’ sweep of the recent four-team preseason tilt with averages of 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games.
“Siguro yung confidence is getting there, but I can’t say na 100 percent,” Alas said.
Among the things Alas did was to tap a sports psychologist to help him on the mental aspect of dealing with what he described as the low point of his basketball career.
“Malaking tulong yung sa second ACL ko kasi nung first ko kala ko I’m very tough,” he said. “Pero nung second ACL ko, I think yun yung time na pinakana- down ako sa buong basketball career ko so malaking bagay na seeing a sports psychologist kasi dami akong natutunan na mga bagay na ‘to, na it happens for a reason.
“It’s easier said than done na pag may problema dapat di na ako down. OK lang ma-down pero it’s ok na napag-uusapan siya,” added Alas, who is also working on other facets of his game like developing an outside shot.
Alas, known more for constantly attacking the basket, is a career 26-percent shooter from three-point range, making just 97 out of 360 attempts since his PBA career began with Talk ’N Text in the 2014-15 campaign.
“Yung game ko naman wala naman akong binago, nagdagdag lang ng other weapons like developing a jump shot,” Alas mentioned. “Kasi laro ko na dati puro salaksak lang nang salaksak. So dapat nag-aadapt na rin laro ko.
“Factor na rin siyempre kasi two ACL injuries na rin. Siguro kailangan ko na rin mag-evolve ng laro.”
Having a healthy season from Alas may help NLEX a great deal in bolstering its backcourt.
The Road Warriors already have Kiefer Ravena and Jericho Cruz while role players Philip Paniamogan and Bong Galanza have proven to be key assets when consistent.
The small steps are behind Kevin Alas as the 45th PBA season looms. A bigger leap of faith now follows.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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